Electricity
Restoring Electricity
Widespread power outages
are almost a certainty during hurricanes or winter ice storms. Fortunately
for customers of Washington Electric Utilities, Washington is one of North
Carolina's public power communities who have a proven track record
of restoring electric service quickly after storms. As a storm approaches,
local repair crews are put on stand by to be ready to respond quickly
to problems. If local crews need additional help, Washington Electric
Utilities can call for assistance from neighboring cities.
When repairing widespread
outages, Washington Electric Utilities first fixes problems affecting
many customers. For instance, a damaged substation can cut electric power
to thousands of customers. When that substation is fixed, then damages
affecting fewer customers, such as downed lines, can be repaired.
Components of the City's Electric System
Occasionally an outage
may affect only part of a neighborhood; you may be without electricity
while a neighbor has lights. This means that you and your neighbor are
served by different distribution lines, transformers or circuits. Be sure
to call the electric company to report that your lights are still out.
Before severe weather
strikes you can protect electric service to your home or building by placing
it underground. Restoring electricity to a single customer can be delayed
when the electric meter or meter cables have been pulled away from the
building. By state law, a licensed electrician must repair the connection
before the city can cut the power back on.
Placing electric service
lines to houses or buildings underground can protect them from wind damage.
City electric customers can call a Customer Service Representative at
(252) 975-9300 to arrange for installation of underground service.
Reporting Power Outages
Washington Electric
Utilities customers should call (252) 975-9320 to report power outages.
This number is answered locally 24-hours a day. During times of high call
volume (such as during hurricanes), extra telephone lines are activated.
Here are some guidelines
for reporting power outages:
- Call as soon as
you are aware of the outage. Customer calls help repair crews locate damage.
- A busy signal means
that operators are talking with other customers about outages. Please
keep trying. Washington Electric Utilities needs to know about your
outage too.
- Keep your comments
brief. The operator must share your information with repair crews quickly
to expedite repairs.
- State the address
where the outage has occurred. You may be asked for additional information,
including a telephone number.
Customers of Tideland
EMC should call (252) 943-3046 to report power outages. Carolina
Power & Light Company customers should call 1-800-419-6356 to report
power outages.
Click
here for information on using electric generators safely.