To report an outage, call
1-800-448-2383
Storm Room
Report an Outage
Visit our Outage Map
- View current outages and affected areas
- View restoration progress
- Live radar
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The Steps to Restore Power
Generator Safety
Preparing for the storm: Medical Needs
Have you checked your breaker?
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Go to the main circuit breaker (electric panel) in the house or building.
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Locate the breaker switch that has tripped and moved to about halfway between the “off” and “on” positions.
- Next, move the switch all the way to its “off” position, then back to “on” to reset the tripped breaker. If there are no tripped breakers, report the outage.
Did you receive a notification that voltage is present but still have no power? You may have another electrical issue. Give us a call at 1-800-451-5474 and speak to an energy specialist.
Watch this quick tutorial
Resources
Before a Storm
Although Blue Ridge Energy works hard to keep the power on for its members, severe weather conditions or other unusual circumstances that cause damage to poles and lines can sometimes put us in the dark. You'll be safer and less inconvenienced if you have the following emergency supplies on hand in a convenient location:
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Matches
- Firewood and kindling
- Propane grill (in well ventilated area)
- Charcoal grill with charcoal and lighter (in well ventilated area)
- Manual can opener
- Non-perishable food
- Radio with fresh battery
- Blankets, sleeping bags, quilts
- Wind-up or battery operated clock
- Paper plates and plastic utensils
- Gallon jugs filled with water for drinking and cooking
- Formula and extra diapers for babies
- Thermos for keeping drinks and baby formula warm
In addition, the cooperative suggests people fill their bathtubs with water that can be used to flush commodes. People should also keep blankets over freezers and refrigerators to help insulate them in the event of an extended outage.
After the Storm
When severe weather causes power outages, employees of Blue Ridge Energy immediately begin working to restore power to as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time. Serviced first are primary lines serving hundreds and sometimes thousands of customers. Medical facilities and individuals on life-support systems are given top priority during outages.
When your lights go out, check with your neighbors to learn if they are also in the dark. If they're not, check your fuse box or circuit breaker to see if you can locate the problem.
If the outage has affected your neighbors, call your local Blue Ridge Energy office or the cooperative's automated outage reporting system known as PowerLine at 1-800-448-2383.
Power outages that occur in severe weather, or that last for an extended period of time, can place a heavy burden on the system at the moment the power is restored. To prevent an overload on the system and possibly another outage, take these steps:
- Turn off every inside light except one.
- Turn down your thermostat.
- In cold weather, close windows and drapes to save heat. Pick one room on the warm side of the house and use blankets to insulate the windows.
- If the outage lasts over 60 minutes, turn off the electric water heater.
- Make sure your kitchen range is off, both the surface and the oven. Never use it as a substitute for your heater.
- Turn off all unnecessary appliances.
- Avoid opening the freezer door. For more information about food safety during and after a power outage, call the county office of the N.C.
- Cooperative Extension Service.
- If you see a downed power line, STAY AWAY! Immediately go to a safe place and call your local Blue Ridge Electric office.
- When power comes back on, slowly switch appliances and lights back on and gradually return your thermostat to its normal setting.
Call us at 828-758-2383 or contact us to ask for the free brochure "After the Storm" for more information about how your electric cooperative restores power during an outage.