Multiple areas to have extended outages in Watauga, Ashe

Even with hundreds of crews working 24/7, Blue Ridge Energy has announced that due to the extent of growing system damage being uncovered by line technicians and damage assessment as repairs progress, some of the hardest hit areas will take another week or longer to restore.

“The damage is even more extensive than we first thought,” said Renee Walker, director of public relations. “This is not the news any of us want to hear. However, we are working to keep members informed with the latest information and we hope this helps members in these areas prepare, or helps their loved ones know so they can provide assistance,"

The following communities will be impacted by the extended outages for at least another week:

Watauga County:

MabelElkRomingerLaurel Creek

Ashe County:

CrestonLansingShatleyBig LaurelHwy 88 toward SutherlandBig Horse CreekBig SpringsCrumplerOld Mill Creek

Caldwell County:

GlobeEdgemontMortimerJohns River LoopAlleghany:Piney CreekLaurel Springs

The goal in power restoration is to get the most members on in the least amount of time. Restoration depends on first repairing the main lines and substations that must be energized in order for power to flow to distribution lines and substations providing electricity to communities and homes.

Quick facts:

Of Blue Ridge Energy’s 8,500 miles of line, 6,800 is known to be damagedHundreds of power poles are brokenSome of the cooperative’s system is completely gone: washed away by flooding or mudslides.

“This is the most damaging storm in Blue Ridge Energy’s history,” Walker said. “Homes and cars are washed away, some roads have been replaced with creek beds and certain areas look like war zones. We are working under extreme conditions to restore power as quickly and safely as possible,” she added.

As of 6 p.m. Monday, 32,711 members remain without power after a 24/7 outage restoration effort that is now in its fourth day. At the height of the outages on Friday evening, 63,819 members were without power: 80 percent of Blue Ridge Energy’s system.

Blue Ridge Energy thanks the following assisting line crews, tree workers and construction crews who have been able to join in restoration efforts: Halifax EMC, Tri-County EMC in North Carolina, Tri-County EMC in Tennessee, Wake EMC, South River EMC, Roanoke Cooperative, Four County EMC, Cape Hatteras EMC, PeeDee Electric, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Southside EMC in Virginia, Central Virginia Electric Cooperative, Claverack Rural Electric of Pennsylvania, Pike, Lee Electric, as well as Treeline Helicopter and tree contractors Foothills Tree, Lucas Tree Experts, Xylem Tree, and Kendall Vegetation. Also to assist with road grading: Kent Excavation, Sage Excavation, Mountain Crest LLC, MTC Trucking, Greer Brothers, and Graham Roten Trucking.