RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Power outages are increasing for electric cooperatives in North Carolina as Hurricane Florence draws closer to the coast. As of 9:30 p.m., the network of electric cooperatives, which includes 26 locally owned and operated electric cooperatives from the mountains to the coast, is reporting approximately 63,000 power outages, primarily in coastal areas. Outages are expected to climb overnight as Florence advances and conditions deteriorate.

Counties with the highest number of electric cooperative outages are:

  • Carteret (31,800 members without power)
  • Onslow (12,700)
  • Craven (8,700)
  • Pamlico (4,300)

Cooperative members should be prepared for prolonged outages as this large storm brings strong winds, storm surge and sustained rainfall that could lead to flooding. Cooperative members should also be aware that flooding can delay power restoration if crews must wait for floodwaters to recede.

Cooperative crews are staged in local communities and prepared to respond quickly, and they are joined by hundreds of contractors and support crews that have traveled from across the southeast to assist. Crews will be deployed when working conditions are safe. The safety of employees and the public is a top priority for electric cooperatives, during severe weather and always.

Everyone is encouraged to stay far away from downed or sagging power lines, as well as anything that downed lines are touching. Always assume that a powerline is energized and very dangerous. Report downed or damaged power lines to your cooperative.

The cumulative number and location of cooperative outages can be seen at this live outage map.

North Carolina's 26 electric cooperatives collectively serve approximately 2.5 million people in 93 of the state's 100 counties. For more information, visit ncelectriccooperatives.com.

 

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SOURCE North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives