When severe weather causes power outages, employees of Blue Ridge Mountain EMC 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 members. 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, contact Blue Ridge Mountain EMC at (706) 379-3121 or (800) 292-6456 to report the outage.
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.
- If you see a downed power line, STAY AWAY! Immediately go to a safe place and call Blue Ridge Mountain EMC. When power comes back on, slowly switch appliances and lights back on and gradually return your thermostat to its normal setting.