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What You Should Do During 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
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Candles and holders
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Matches
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Firewood and kindling
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Charcoal grill with charcoal and lighter
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Non-perishable food
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Radio with fresh battery
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Blankets, sleeping bags, quilts
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Oil lamps and extra oil
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Wind-up or battery operated clock
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Manual can opener
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Paper plates and plastic utensils
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Gallon jugs filled with water for drinking and cooking
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Formula and extra diapers for babies
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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.
Back to Top.
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.
Back to Top
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.
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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:
WCVP 600 AM - Murphy, NC
WKRK 1320AM, Cable TV Channel 25 - Cherokee County & Facebook Page - www.country.am
WCNG 102.7 FM - Murphy, NC
101.1 FM - Blairsville, GA
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