RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 4, 2024; 8:00 a.m.) – Friday morning marks one week since Tropical Storm Helene ravaged western North Carolina communities with unprecedented flooding and high winds, leaving thousands without power and electric infrastructure destroyed.
Outages
As of 8 a.m. on Friday, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives report 58,000 outages, down from a peak of 236,000 last Friday, Sept. 27. The remaining power outages are all west of I-77 across the areas hardest hit by Tropical Storm Helene. The long duration of these outages can be attributed entirely to the severity of damage to electric cooperative infrastructure and the lack of access to some areas because of destroyed roadways.
“We will not stop”
“You matter to us,” said Doug Johnson, chief executive officer of Lenoir-based Blue Ridge Energy in a video addressing members still without power. “We care about you, and we will not stop until every single member has their lights come back on.”
Johnson’s sentiment was echoed by Dirk Burleson, general manager of neighboring Forest City-based Rutherford EMC, in a message to members. “Our hearts remain with every person impacted. We will continue to work as hard as we can, around the clock, and we will not stop until power is restored for every member,” said Burleson.
Strength in numbers
More than 500 reinforcements from over 30 electric cooperatives in 11 states, plus a substantial army of contract crews, are deployed with local electric cooperative power restoration crews. Together, these crews are working in every corner of western North Carolina to rebuild electric cooperative systems and restore service to all co-op members as soon as possible.
Slow down for workers
Cooperatives urge members to please use caution around utility workers along highways and roadways.
“These crews are already performing hazardous work, and they deserve a work environment that’s as safe as possible,” said Farris Leonard, director of job training and safety for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “Most importantly, don’t drive distracted. Drive according to the conditions of the road.”
Safety:
- Do not touch a circuit breaker or replace a fuse with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface.
- Do not use electrical equipment and electronics, including receptacles, that have been submerged in water.
- If it is necessary to use a portable generator, always operate the generator outdoors in an open area. Use an extension cord to connect the generator directly to the appliance and ensure the extension cord has three-prongs and is rated for the amount of power used by the appliance.
- Do not connect your portable generator directly to your home’s wiring. A generator that is directly connected can “backfeed” into the power lines connected to your house and could electrocute anyone working on the power lines.
Real-time outage numbers from electric cooperatives across the state are available on a Statewide Outage Map.