Blue Ridge Energy Monday Oct 7 Update

Power Restoration Efforts Continue from Catastrophic Storm:

Outages Down to 8,917 as of 1 pm Monday

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 (Monday, 1 pm  – October 7, 2024) – Catastrophic storm damage is extending grid repair and replacement work into this week as Blue Ridge Energy’s team of over 500 line technicians, tree specialists and grading contractors continue 24/7 efforts to restore power to the remaining 8,917 members without power as of 1 pm Monday.

An updated general restoration timeline is available at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com. The most damaged locations are targeted for restoration by Friday, October 11, although power restoration will occur progressively in all areas throughout the week. Service crews are working to address tap lines going through neighborhoods and feeding homes and construction crews are dedicated to replacing broken power poles, which can take hours: many areas have been completely washed away with no ground to replace poles where they were originally located.

Restoration for a few isolated pockets of the most extreme damage will extend beyond October 11. These are areas where there is no longer a home or facility, where bridges or roads make access impossible, or the home or facility first needs repair before power restoration is possible. 

At the height of the storm on Friday, September 27^th, 63,000 Blue Ridge Energy members were left without power as the most devastating storm in recent history hit western North Carolina. Much of Blue Ridge Energy’s infrastructure was washed away by flooding and mudslides or demolished by hundreds of fallen trees and raging swift water.

“Power restoration efforts will continue in full force until every member has power,” said Renee Walker, director of public relations for Blue Ridge Energy. “No one has been forgotten; we continue working until every member is restored.”

For the protection of those working to restore power as well as the general public, the cooperative emphases the following safety alerts:

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 “backfeed” 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. 

– ### –