To report an outage, call
1-800-448-2383
Blue Ridge Energy Prepared for Severe Weather
Keep Outage Reporting Options Handy
Blue Ridge Energy is prepared for and monitoring a strong cold front moving into its service area starting late tonight through Saturday that could bring high wind gusts causing possible outages.
Snowfall from one to six inches is also predicted in the mountain counties of the cooperative’s service area.
“We’re especially monitoring wind gusts that could reach 60 miles per hour in the mountains,” said Renee Walker, director of public relations for Blue Ridge Energy.
Line technicians and support crews are continuously preparing for severe weather, ready to respond in the event of outages, she said.
The cooperative also asks members to be prepared in case outages occur with the following tips:
Before a storm, have the following items on hand to stay safe and comfortable in the event of an outage:
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Extra water for drinking, cooking and pets
- Extra blankets and layers of warm clothing
- Food items that can be eaten without an oven or microwave such as: canned tuna or chicken, canned or dried fruit, energy bars, crackers and peanut butter. Include a manual can opener.
- Charcoal or propane grill; use only in a well-ventilated area
- Keep cell phones charged and have fully charged battery backups
- NOAA Weather Radio. Or sign up for alerts from emergency and weather services on a smart phone or tablet.
- First aid kit, including prescription medications
- Keep a cooler and extra ice handy
Outage reporting options
• Call PowerLine: 1-800-448-2383
• Text OUT to 70216 (mobile number must be on the account)
• Use the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app
Outage status
View outages on the live outage map at Blue Ridge Energy.com or the Blue Ridge Energy mobile app.
In the event of major outages, Blue Ridge Energy shares restoration updates on its social media at www.facebook.com/blueridgeenergy, www.instagram.com/blueridgeenergy, and www.twitter.com/blueridgeemc. Note: Outages cannot be reported over social media; they must be submitted through the official reporting channels listed above to be entered in the cooperative’s outage management system.
Blue Ridge Electric serves approximately 80,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and parts of Wilkes, Avery, and Alexander counties. Its propane and fuels subsidiary serves customers throughout the cooperative’s service area and in Burke, Catawba, and Grayson County, Virginia. Learn more at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com.
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