What You Should Do During Outages

Before your lights go out

After your lights go out

Be prepared before a storm hits

Prepare an emergency kit

Protect your belongings

What to do if you are experiencing an outage

If you are outside

Where to find out if there is an outage

Frequently Asked Questions About Outages

Before Your Lights Go Out

Although Blue Ridge Mountain EMC works hard to keep the power on for its customers, 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
Candles and holders
Matches
Firewood and kindling
Charcoal grill with charcoal and lighter
Non-perishable food
Radio with fresh battery
Blankets, sleeping bags, quilts
Oil lamps and extra oil
Wind-up or battery operated clock
Manual can opener
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 Your Lights Go Out

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 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 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.

Be Prepared Before a Storm Hits

Power outages can occur during and after a snow or ice storm if lines are damaged. The following safety tips will help you be prepared, safe, and more comfortable if an outage occurs.

Prepare an emergency kit including:

Battery powered radio
A flashlight
Additional batteries
Bottled water and canned food, with a manual can opener
Candles and matches
First-Aid kit
Extra blankets and quilts
Include an emergency telephone list to contact the police, fire department, hospital, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, and Sherriffs Department if needed. And remember cordless phones don't work without power.

Protect your belongings

If you are at home and your area is under weather alert for severe storms, shut off or unplug any sensitive electronic equipment such as TVs and computers to protect them from power surges.

If you are experiencing a power outage:

Verify if you are the only one in your neighborhood without power. If so, check your breaker box to make sure all breakers are in the ON position. If you still don't have power, call Blue Ridge Mountain EMC at any (706) 379-3121 or (800) 292-6456 to report the outage.

Make sure to turn off all appliances, especially any heat-producing electric equipment such as electric stoves and ovens. Leave one light fixture on so you'll know when power is restored.

Keep candles away from furniture, curtains, or any other flammable material. Never leave children alone in a room with a burning candle or open flame.

Never try to use gas stoves, charcoal or briquette grills or camp stoves to heat your home. They are designed to be used only outdoors where there is enough ventilation due to the amount of toxic fumes they produce. If you use them indoors, you will rapidly eliminate the amount of oxygen in your house and increase the carbon monoxide inside your home. Carbon monoxide causes serious intoxication problems and even death.

If you are outside:

Stay away from any downed lines including power, telephone or cable. Do not touch any object that is in contact with downed power lines and can transmit electricity such as water, metal, etc.

Never drive your car over power lines. If a power line falls over your car while you are driving, stay inside your car until you receive appropriate help.

Blue Ridge Mountain EMC reports outage updates to the following radio stations: