Thousands Without Power in NC Mountains After Ice Storm
An ice storm this week left thousands of homes in the North Carolina mountains without power, with crews working tirelessly to restore electricity. Residents in Watauga and Ashe counties are facing cold nights and disrupted schedules as schools adapt to the icy conditions.
Blue Ridge Energy, the primary utility company in the region, reported widespread damage to power lines caused by ice-laden trees. Their teams have been working round-the-clock, with some technicians putting in shifts of 14-16 hours to repair the damage.
As of 1 p.m. Friday, power outages in the region included:
- Ashe County: 1,856 homes without power
- Watauga County: 385 homes without power
James Sloan, a representative from Blue Ridge Energy, described the challenging conditions midweek:
“Just a lot of ice and it’s slick, trees are down, and it’s really foggy out here too,” Sloan said.
School Schedules Affected by Icy Conditions
Due to the freezing weather, school schedules have also been impacted:
- Ashe County schools were closed Friday.
- Watauga County schools announced a two-hour delay for Friday.
Channel 9’s Jonathan Lowe reported from Blowing Rock earlier this week, where temperatures lingered around the freezing mark. While rain cleared the area Thursday morning, strong winds returned by evening, dropping temperatures into the teens.
More Freezing Rain Expected
Forecasters warn that icy conditions may persist, with another chance of freezing rain expected Friday night into Saturday morning. This poses additional challenges for both power crews and residents bracing for more weather disruptions.
Stay Updated: Get the latest weather forecast from Severe Weather Center 9.
Crews and Residents Push Through Difficult Times
As Blue Ridge Energy crews worked to restore power, they received help from other utility companies to speed up recovery efforts. The company hopes to have electricity restored by Friday for most affected areas.
Residents expressed deep gratitude for the technicians braving harsh conditions to restore power.
“You gotta applaud these guys for being out here in this kind of weather. It’s awesome they’re out here,” said Billy Barker, a resident of Watauga County.
“They’re gonna be my heroes when I get my power back on,” added Lori Inman.
The Challenge of Restoring Power in Icy Conditions
The icy weather in the mountains brings unique challenges. Trees weighed down by ice fall onto power lines, and the slick, foggy conditions make repairs slow and hazardous. Despite this, crews have remained dedicated, often working long hours in freezing temperatures.
Channel 9’s Dave Faherty has been on the ground covering the storm’s impact throughout the week. In his interviews with Blue Ridge Energy representatives, he highlighted the relentless efforts of technicians battling severe conditions to bring relief to residents.
Community Resilience and Hope
Despite the hardships caused by the storm, the sense of community and resilience in the mountains shines through. Residents are rallying around the crews and each other, offering words of encouragement and gratitude.
As the storm recovery continues, meteorologists are urging residents to remain cautious of icy roads and fallen trees. With more freezing rain possible, the challenges for utility crews and residents may not be over yet.
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