Blue Ridge Energy Ready to Respond if Severe Weather Causes Outages: Severe Weather Predicted for Weekend

LENOIR, NC (January 11, 2019) — Blue Ridge Energy is on high alert and ready to respond should severe weather predicted for this weekend lead to power outages in the cooperative’s service area of Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Wilkes and Alexander counties.

While weather forecasts are evolving, current forecasts call for possible snow, sleet and freezing rain expected to begin Saturday, possibly continuing into Sunday.

If outages occur, report them over the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app or call: 1-800-448-2383. For outage status at any time, the cooperative’s live online outage map is available on the mobile app or at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com.

Blue Ridge Energy recommends keeping the following items handy to stay safe and comfortable in the event of outages:

• Flashlights

• NOAA Weather Radio (you may also be able to sign up for notifications from your local emergency services or from weather services on your smart phone or table)

• Extra batteries

• Extra water for drinking and cooking

• Nonperishable food items

• First aid kit, including prescription medications

• Be sure cell phones and other electronics are fully charged and have fully charged battery back-ups.

Blue Ridge Energy posts information during major outages on its social media channels:
www.facebook.com/blueridgeenergy
www.instagram.com/blueridgeenergy
www.twitter.com/blueridgeemc

Blue Ridge Electric serves some 76,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Avery and Alexander counties.