To report an outage, call
1-800-448-2383
Blue Ridge Energy Line Crews Responding to Outages: Members are Advised To Be Prepared for Severe Weather
Blue Ridge Energy line technicians and staff are on high alert, responding to outages caused by high winds today. Currently, line technicians are restoring power to 1,057 in Watauga County; 328 in Ashe County; 243 in Alleghany County and seven in Caldwell County.
The potential for outages may continue due to wind gusts predicted at up to 50 miles per hour in the mountain counties of the cooperative’s service area and up to 25 miles per hour in the foothills today and into tomorrow.
The cooperative advises members to be prepared with the following tips:
Keep outage reporting methods handy:
- Call PowerLine: 1-800-448-2383
- Use the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app
- By text when your mobile number is on your account: Text OUT to 70216
For outage status at any time:
- View the cooperative’s online outage map at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com or on the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app.
Be prepared to stay safe and comfortable before a storm by having the following items easily accessible in your home:
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Extra water for drinking, cooking and for pets
- Food items that can be eaten without an oven or microwave such as: canned tuna or chicken, canned or dried fruit, energy bars, crackers, peanut butter, cereal, canned coffee and drinks.
- Manual can opener
- NOAA Weather Radio. Also: sign up for alerts from emergency and weather services on a smart phone or tablet.
- 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 battery backups
- Keep a cooler and extra ice handy in case of extended outages
Always think safety first:
Stay far away from downed power lines. Do not touch a downed line or any object that is in contact with it. This 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. Also call 911 to report a downed line. A trained line technician is the only person who should handle downed power lines.
Planning for those on life-sustaining equipment:
If someone is dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining equipment, have an evacuation plan that could include backup power such as a generator and alternative care options in case of extended outages.
Blue Ridge Energy posts information during major outages on its social media:
www.facebook.com/blueridgeenergy; www.instagram.com/blueridgeenergy and www.x.com/blueridgeemc. However, outage reporting is not available over social media; please report all 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.
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