RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Slow-moving Hurricane Florence has caused widespread power outages in electric cooperative served areas in coastal, eastern and central North Carolina. The collective number of power outages across the network of 26 N.C. co-ops is currently 185,500.
Real-time statewide outage numbers and locations can be viewed here. At-a-glance, counties with the highest number of electric cooperative outages are:
- Brunswick – 38,300
- Onslow – 36,600
- Carteret – 33,100
Severe flooding and persisting high winds are impeding the access and ability of crews to safely begin power restoration in the coastal and eastern parts of our state. At the same time, Hurricane Florence is now causing power outages in areas inland, particularly in the Sandhills region.
In addition to the expectation that existing outages will be prolonged, cooperative officials also anticipate a continued increase in outages as the hurricane's bands soon reach farther into the state, as well as the potential for more outages several days from now when it is forecast to move through our mountain region.
Because of the nature and magnitude of this event, power outages are expected to persist for days or even weeks. Local cooperative crews are stationed in the communities they serve and are poised to restore power as soon as conditions are safe. They are joined by support crews from electric cooperatives across the nation, as well as contract crews. Together, they will be out in force to restore power as quickly as possible, and cooperative members are thanked for their patience through this event.
Cooperatives are reporting downed power lines. Please remember to never go near a downed or sagging power line and report it immediately to your utility.
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
