Crews ready to respond to Hurricane Matthew

Central Electric crews are prepared to respond to any outages that may occur due to heavy rain and wind in our area from Hurricane Matthew. As of Wednesday afternoon, the exact path of Matthew remains uncertain. However, on its current track some forecasts still project an impact on our area during the weekend, with landfall on the N.C. coast appearing less likely. However, to be on the safe side, it is important for everyone to prepare for significant rain and wind ahead of time, keeping safety as the top priority. A large amount of rain and wind from this storm could possibly result in significant outages across our area. Regardless, Central Electric is prepared to respond to outages that may occur due to the inclement weather.

Use the following tips to remain safe before and after the storm:

Before:

  • Check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed. Make sure you have batteries prepared for radios and flashlights.
  • Bring in anything that could possibly be picked up and thrown by high winds.
  • Make sure all electronic devices are fully charged ahead of time.
  • Talk with members of your household and have an evacuation plan prepared.
  • If you plan to use a portable generator, make sure it is installed by a licensed electrician. Power from generators can back-feed along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including co-op line workers making repairs.

After:

  • Avoid downed or dangling power lines and report them to Central Electric immediately. Treat all downed lines as if they are energized; never assume that the line is dead.
  • Stay away from flooded areas, power lines could be submerged and still energized.
  • Stay alert for flooded areas and never attempt to drive through high-water.
  • Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible so your food will last longer in the event of a power outage. After a power outage, thoroughly inspect perishable food and throw out any spoiled items.
  • Inspect your home for any damage and take good pictures for insurance purposes.
  • After the storm, drive only if necessary to keep roads clear for emergency personnel and utility workers.

Should weather conditions deteriorate in our area, crews are prepared to handle any outage situations that may occur. Please visit Central Electric’s Outage Center to view an outage or for information on reporting an outage. Outages can be reported 24-hours a day by calling 1-877-766-6769.