TORNADOES BRING DESTRUCTION TO BRUNSWICK ELECTRIC’S SERVICE AREA
Supply, N.C. (February 16, 2021) –Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation(BEMC) is currently reporting over 7,000 power outages caused by severe weather that raged through their service area before midnight. The storm’s strength caused extensive damage to their transmission system by toppling poles and trees, impacting around 35,000 members at its peak.
Crews are out in force, working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to cooperative members. With backfeeding technology, power was restored to around 10,000 members before 2 a.m. BEMC estimates that some of these outages will extend into the afternoon hours of Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
“Our priority is to restore power to all of our members across our service area as quickly and safely as possible,” said Josh Winslow, BEMC’s CEO. “Our thoughts are with the individuals who have suffered loss as a result of these storms.”
The storm left the community around Ocean Ridge in Ocean Isle Beach with much devastation and dangerous conditions. We ask members to be patient as we coordinate with county officials to ensure safety in the area as restoration efforts progress.
For your safety, never go near downed or sagging power lines and be aware that fallen lines may be under debris. Always assume power lines are energized and report damage immediately by calling 800-682-5309. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for frequent updates.