Power Restoration Countdown: Additional Crews Mobilized to Watauga, Ashe Counties

For Immediate Release

Contact: Renee R. Walker, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Energy, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213, or rw*****@bl*************.com; or cell: 828-757-6771

Lenoir, North Carolina (4:30 pm, Thursday, October 10, 2024) – With nearly 97% of Blue Ridge Energy members restored with power after Hurricane Helene left 63,000 members in the dark, the cooperative is able to move additional manpower from its 500+ line technicians, tree workers and road graders to the hardest hit areas in Watauga and Ashe counties although crews continue work in all areas.

As of 4:30 pm Thursday, crews are working to restore the final 2,535 members: 1,451 in Watauga County, 930 in Ashe County, 82 in Caldwell County, 49 in Wilkes County, 15 in Alleghany County  and 8 in Avery County.

Across the system, the cooperative has dispersed teams of service crews responsible for repairing and energizing tap lines as well as construction crews responsible for replacing broken power poles—a job that can take 4 to 6 hours in the best of conditions.

The raging swift water led to flooding and mudslides, downed trees, washed away bridges and not only roads and pavement but in many cases the actual ground beneath them. The storm took down much of the cooperative’s electric grid, leading to quick rebuilds just to get power restored as quickly as possible. Long-term repairs will go on for months to ensure the electric grid is strong and reliable. 

“Blue Ridge Energy serves a very rough, mountainous terrain and our crews are accustomed to working in high winds, snow, ice and some flooding but nothing close to the conditions and level of damage caused by Helene,” said Renee Walker, director of public relations for Blue Ridge Energy.

Currently, the cooperative is expecting most of the power restoration to be complete by midnight Friday. Several hundred outages in the most damaged of locations will carry over into the weekend before all restoration is complete. Additional time will be needed for structures that require owner repair before restoration is possible and areas that are totally inaccessible with no way to reach the structure.

The cooperative continues emphasizing the following safety measures:

Downed Power Line Safety

• Downed power lines can still be energized and therefore dangerous, or even deadly, so stay far away.  Downed lines can be hidden underneath fallen trees, water and other affected structures so stay alert and use caution around these areas. Only a trained line technician should ever go near a downed power line. Report downed lines by calling 1-800-451-5474.

Protect Line Workers:

• Move over and slow down if you see line technicians or trucks working on roadsides. This is especially difficult work under current conditions with many roads washed out, severely damaged, or down to one lane roads. Please slow down for your safety and the protection of all those working to restore power.
• Be alert for flaggers and other traffic directions and indications of work under way.
• Don’t drive distracted. Road damage and debris is scattered throughout the area.

Generator Safety:

• The only safe way to connect a portable generator to your home’s wiring is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch.
• Never connect a generator to your home’s electrical system. It can “back feed” and potentially harm or kill line technicians working on power lines.
• Keep generators away from water.
• Always turn off a generator and let it cool down before refueling.
• Never use a generator inside your home or garage. Install a carbon monoxide detector for added safety.

To check outage status

• Call 1-800-451-5474 to speak with a member service representative
• Link to live outage map: https://bremco.maps.sienatech.com/
• Refer to general restoration estimates at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com
• Report new outages by calling 1-800-448-2383 or
• Use our Blue Ridge Energy mobile app or
• Text “OUT” to 70216 if your mobile number is on your account 

Blue Ridge Energy serves some 80,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties as well as parts of Avery, Alexander and Wilkes counties. Learn more at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com or on the cooperative’s social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.