To report an outage, call
1-800-448-2383
Blue Ridge Energy Advises Members: Be Prepared for Winter Storm
Be Prepared
Blue Ridge Energy line technicians and staff are prepared and positioned to respond to outages that could result from the winter storm currently predicted to hit our mountain and foothill service area starting Saturday.
“Confidence is high that a strong system will impact our area this weekend,” said Mike Kincaid, director of operations for Blue Ridge Energy. “We are always ready to respond should outages occur; however, we’re making additional preparations and will remain on high alert status throughout the weekend,” Kincaid said.
Weather predictions as of late Wednesday afternoon for the Blue Ridge Energy service area include the potential for snow changing to sleet and freezing rain on Saturday evening and overnight, possibly continuing into Sunday and Monday morning. Icing of a half inch or more accumulating on power lines could lead to outages. Icing or heavy, wet snow can also bring down trees and tree limbs onto power lines, causing damage and outages as a result.
The cooperative advises members to be prepared with the following tips:
Prepare to stay safe and comfortable in the event of an outage:
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Extra water for drinking, cooking and pets
- Food items that can be eaten without an oven or microwave such as: canned chicken, canned or dried fruit, energy bars, crackers, peanut butter, cereal, canned coffee and drinks. Include a manual can opener.
- NOAA Weather Radio. Or sign up for alerts from emergency and weather services on a smart phone or tablet and have back up power for your devices.
- First aid kit, including prescription medications
- Extra blankets and layers of warm clothing
- Charcoal or propane grill; use only in a well-ventilated area
- Keep cell phones charged and have fully charged portable power banks or chargers
Plan ahead if you or someone you know depends on oxygen or other medical equipment:
- If someone is dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining equipment, please make sure to have a backup plan. In the event of large, widespread outages due to weather emergencies, priority restoration cannot be assured for services with a medical necessity designation due to factors such as extent of system damage. Please have an evacuation plan that could include backup power such as a generator and alternative care options to stay with loved ones or friends that you can execute before severe weather arrives. If you have a life-threatening medical need during an outage, please call 911 immediately.
Think Safety: Stay away from downed power lines!
Do not touch a downed line or any object that is in contact with it and stay far away. Downed lines can be dangerous or even deadly as the lines may still be energized! Always report downed power lines to the cooperative by calling 1-800-451-5474 and also call 911. A trained line technician is the only person who should handle downed power lines.
If you have an outage, report it in one of the following ways:
- Call our automated outage reporting system, PowerLine, at 1-800-448-2383
- By text when your mobile number is on your account: Text OUT to 70216
- Over the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app
To check outage status at any time:
- View our live, online outage map at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com or on our mobile app.
Blue Ridge Energy posts information during major outages on its social media:
www.facebook.com/blueridgeenergy; www.instagram.com/blueridgeenergy and www.twitter.com/blueridgeemc. However, outage reporting is not available over social media; please report outages by phone, mobile app or text as listed above to ensure all outages are logged into the cooperative’s outage management system.
Blue Ridge Electric serves some 80,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and parts of Wilkes, Avery and Alexander counties. Its propane and fuels subsidiary serves customers in the cooperative’s service area as well as Burke, Catawba, and Grayson County, Va. Learn more at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com.