Special to IFN
EnergyUnited announced Saturday that it expects crews to restore power outages caused by historic Tropical Storm Helene for members by Tuesday, October 1.
Power outages are continuing to be restored as crews battle impassable roadways, flood conditions, downed trees and catastrophic destruction in the effort to safely restore power.
AMembers are also encouraged to visit EnergyUnited’s outage map for status information about their particular outage, and to continue to make appropriate plans for a multi-day restoration effort.
Restoration Timeline
Working in very difficult conditions, EnergyUnited crews had restored power to more than 20,000 members as of 11 a.m. Saturday.
Crews are continuing to work to restore service to nearly 10,000 members who are currently without power, including 2,278 in Iredell County and 1,496 in Alexander County.
EnergyUnited has bolstered restoration efforts by bringing in additional crews from Ohio, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. A total of 269 linemen and field personnel are currently supporting the restoration efforts, as the cooperative works to restore service as safely, efficiently and quickly as possible.
“We are making steady progress, but we know the job is not finished,” said Steve McCachern, vice president of energy delivery. “The damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene has been catastrophic, and we truly appreciate the patience and understanding of our members as we continue these efforts with the support of these additional crews.”
Important Safety Reminders
♦ Avoid flooded areas: Do not walk through standing water near electrical equipment, as it could present an electrocution hazard. Stay clear of any flooded areas around EnergyUnited’s equipment.
♦ Stay away from downed power lines: Always assume any downed line is energized and dangerous. Report these sightings immediately to EnergyUnited or local emergency services.
♦ Use generators safely: Ensure generators are placed outdoors and far from windows, doors, and vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring, as this can cause backfeeding, which poses serious risks to linemen and field personnel.