Outage Update for October 9, 2024
Mountain Electric Cooperative Update- Hurricane Helene Restoration Efforts -October 9, 2024
MEC wants everyone to know, we have plenty of materials (including poles) to work with and trucks are arriving daily. We ask that you drive carefully in our work zones so workers stay safe and do their jobs efficiently. Please don’t stop to report your outage, this only holds up progress they are trying to make to get your power back on.
Status for Mtn City service area:
We currently have an estimated 1,450 members out of power. This estimate did not change much from yesterday, as we are in the restoration phase where it takes extended time periods to build new lines back that were damaged by the storm and replacing broken poles that were torn down by trees. Repairs like these take many hours in some cases and the result is only getting a few customers on once the job is completed. We are still working the same schedule of 15 hour days, and are making progress, although the numbers do not reflect that. (Trade and Hwy 321 communities that we cannot access yet make up approximately 1,000 of the members reported in the above number) We are dividing some of the larger crews into smaller ones to perform service repairs, which will help increase restorations of individual services without power.
General Area Crews Working: Forge Creek, Laurel, Neva/Butler (including Locust Gap, Draft), Butler (Sink Valley and Grindstaff Rd, Fish Springs, Hwy 321) Doe (Sprucey area), Sage Valley Rd. and Trade area.
General Area Tree Crews Working: Tree crews are working in Gate Hollow, Harmon Rd, Sage Valley Circle and Trade areas today.
There are portions of Poga, Heaton Branch, and Walnut Mountain areas that are not accessible at this time. Roads and Electrical infrastructure have been washed out in several areas.
Status of Newland and Roan Mtn:
We currently have 4,400 members out of power in Newland and 400 members in Roan Mountain.
Regarding the line construction on Hwy 105: We will begin rebuilding lines in Linville on Hwy 105 tomorrow, 10/10/24, around 7 AM . The NCDOT will block one lane and use flaggers and a pilot truck. Please be patient with all construction workers, as well as our employees.
If your power is on and goes back off, there are many instances we have to temporarily turn the power back off to energize surrounding lines. Also, we are experiencing a lot of outages because of people trying to help cut trees.
We are getting lots of questions why underground utilities have not been restored yet. Please understand we have lots of junctions, transformers and wires that have been washed away and will take extended amounts of time to make these repairs. Even if you have underground lines serving your home, there may be an overhead line serving the underground transformer that has not been repaired yet.
General area crews are working in Newland—Crews are working in Old Beech Mtn, Curtis Creek/Barlow Rd, outer areas of Newland, Linville, Altamont area working towards Linville Falls, and Hickory Nut Gap. Beech Mtn is almost fully restored other than some secondary and meter poles. We have 2 service crews trying to work on services and connects that have been inspected by the county.
General area crews are working in Roan Mtn—Crews are working on taps in Tiger Creek and Buck Mtn toward the NC line. Excavators have been brought in on Ingram Branch to continue working in that area and a service crew trying to tie up loose ends everywhere.
If you have a medical need (oxygen, dialysis or other medical conditions), please find a local emergency shelter. The electricity and the essential needs are being supplied at these shelters.
I am out of the office surveying damages to our system most of the time. Please call your local office first and see if they can assist you before leaving me a message. I know there are several members without electricity still and can assure you all the MEC crews and contractors are working. These individuals have worked 15 hours (or more) daily for 13 days straight and will continue to do so.
We are getting reports that wire is being stolen in certain communities which is holding up progress. If you see someone stealing wire, please get their tag number and report it to the police.
I would also like to give a heartfelt “thank you” to all of our communities in MEC service area. MEC appreciates the meals, food donations and prayers going up for us as we continue to restore power to all our members.
Rodney Metcalf, General Manager
Mountain Electric Cooperative
C: 423.727.1810
Fax: 423.727.1822