LENOIR, NC (11:30 am December 9, 2018 – OUTAGE UPDATE) — Blue Ridge Energy line technicians are working to restore power after up to a foot of snow overnight began affecting parts of the cooperative’s service area Sunday morning.
As of 11:30 am Sunday, 1,100 members are without power, primarily in Caldwell and Wilkes counties. In the foothills, temperatures are a few degrees warmer than in the mountains and this is creating a heavier, wet snow. The heavy snow is weighing on tree limbs, causing trees and limbs outside of rights of way to fall into power lines. Currently, 592 members are impacted in Caldwell County and 454 are affected in Wilkes County. Another 45 members are without power in Watauga County; seven in Ashe County; five in Alleghany County and two in Avery County.
Blue Ridge Energy is seeing outages begin to increase and due to treacherous conditions on roads and remote access roads, the cooperative is advising members that damage is so extensive in some remote locations that restoration efforts in some areas could last into Monday.
Line technicians began responding to outages at 2:47 am Sunday when issues first began. They continue working today and this evening.
Blue Ridge Energy reminds members to report all outages by calling 1-800-448-2383 or by using the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app. Outage updates are available on the cooperative’s live outage map at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com or on the mobile app.