REMC Repairs Summer Storm Damage

ASHEBORO, NC, August 8, 2023 – The severe storms that swept across REMC’s five-county region Monday night, August 7, left behind a wake of power outages. In total, more than 9,000 Randolph Electric member-owners lost power during the height of the storms.

The first outages occurred early Monday evening around 6:30 p.m. when the line of storms arrived with wind gusts up to 48 mph. Driving rains quickly saturated the ground, causing flash flood conditions that slowed restoration work. The combination of wind, rain and hail, along with lightning strikes, caused trees to fall on lines and block access roads. Darkness and damage created challenges for crews as they located faults detected throughout the REMC system.

By 8:30 pm, over 9,000 meters had lost power, representing more than 25% of REMC’s total accounts. REMC crews worked through the night and the next day to provide restoration services. Throughout the cooperative’s service areas in Randolph, Moore, Montgomery, Chatham and Alamance counties, lineworkers repaired broken poles, downed lines and storm-damaged equipment. At midnight, REMC had restored 66% of total meters affected. Within 24 hours from the start of the storm, Randolph Electric had restored power to all members.

“I am proud of our team’s response,” said Dale Lambert, Randolph EMC’s CEO. “Our crews worked as efficiently and safely as possible to get the lights back on for members. We appreciate our members’ patience as we worked to restore power.”

 

Tips for Severe Weather

Summer storms are unpredictable and could strike at any time. In the event of downed or low-hanging power lines, members and the public should exercise extreme caution. Damaged lines can still carry electric current and cause serious injury or death. Everyone should stay well away from downed lines and contact REMC immediately. Additionally, drivers should slow down and give utility crews and emergency responders on the side of the road plenty of room to maneuver in their work area.

Reporting Outages

Members who experience a power outage should report it by calling 1-877-736-2633 (1-877-REMC-OFF). Members who have enrolled in REMC’s alert outage texting program, SPOTT (Status of Power Outages Through Texts), may also text OUT to this number to report an outage at their location. These members should note that outage status updates will be unavailable during major storm outage restoration efforts.

Randolph EMC offers several options for keeping members informed:

• Follow Randolph EMC on Facebook and Twitter.
• View the online outage map.
• Find the latest press releases, alerts and preparedness tips on our recent news updates on our website.
• Tune in to local TV and radio stations for the latest updates.
• View the latest outage information available on REMC’s online outage map.

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On Tuesday, August 8, at 10:45 am, REMC crews continued to work to restore power to 33 members after summer storms caused damage to our system the previous evening. We appreciate our members' patience during this time. REMC will keep working until all members are restored.

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At 12:10 am, REMC reports 2,565 accounts out of power. Crews continue to work through the night to restore power. Efforts are hampered by saturated ground conditions and darkness. REMC has now restored more than 66% of members who lost power in this storm.

Outages by county:

Alamance: 8

Chatham: 74

Montgomery: 412

Moore: 992

Randolph: 1,077

We appreciate the patience of our members as our crews work to get your lights back on.

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Starting to see progress in Moore County, which experienced some challenges in restoration efforts due to storm damage. 

At 11 pm, REMC reports 4,840 members out of power.

Outages by county:

Alamance: 8

Chatham: 81

Montgomery: 725

Moore: 2,669

Randolph: 1,368

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At 10:45 pm, REMC crews continue to work to restore 5,918 accounts still out of power from this evening's storms. 

Outages by county:

Alamance: 8

Chatham: 81

Montgomery: 737

Moore: 3,264

Randolph: 1,828

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At 10:07 pm, REMC has restored 2,529 accounts, and 6,433 members remain out of power. We appreciate your patience as our crews continue working.

Outages by county:

Alamance: 340

Chatham: 90

Montgomery: 736

Moore: 3,207

Randolph: 2,060

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At 9:30 pm, REMC has restored 2,158 accounts, and 6,938 members remain out of power. 

Outages by county:

Alamance: 340

Chatham: 256

Montgomery: 902

Moore: 3,240

Randolph: 2,200

Members of the REMC 5-county service area were hit particularly hard by the fast-moving summer storms on the evening on Monday, August 7. 

Source: 9:22 pm from NCEMC outage map website

 

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At 9:10 pm, REMC had restored 1,755 accounts. 7,425 remain out of power. Crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible through the the night to restore power. 

REMC crews are reporting damage from high winds impacting the lines. Saturated ground conditions may complicate some repair efforts.

We appreciate our members' patience during this time and will keep you updated.

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On the evening of Monday, August 7, crews worked to restore power after a fast-moving line of storms erupted over REMC's service territory. 

As of 8:30 pm, more than 9,000 accounts had experienced an outage.

At 8:50 pm, REMC had restored power to 1,329 accounts. 7,719 remain out of power.

Outages by county:

Alamance: 340

Chatham: 256

Montgomery: 1,805

Moore: 3,231

Randolph: 2,086

Crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power throughout our system. We anticipate restoration efforts through the evening since rain has not ceased in parts of our service area.