Current Outages: (see map below).
Substation power outages, multiple circuit outages, or power outages expected to last longer than 8 hours will require Haywood EMC to list them on this website and our Facebook page. We do not monitor this website 24/7 and will update this page only if these major outages occur. For current outage information please call our office at 828-452-2281 or toll-free at 1-800-951-6088 where you will find a recorded phone greeting of any outages that may be in your area. If you do not hear your specific outage announced, please wait to speak with a customer service representative to notify us of your outage.
How to Report an Outage:
- Outages: To report or inquire about power outages, call 1-800-951-6088.
- You may also contact your local district office by calling the Waynesville office at 828-452-2281 or the Lake Toxaway office at 828-966-4215.
- Downed power lines can still be energized—and therefore dangerous. If you see a downed power line, please call your local district office immediately.
Download the NC Emergency Management App; READYNC
Our key partner for disaster response, the N.C. Division of Emergency Management, has launched a mobile app that includes a number of resources for disaster preparedness and response. The free app is called READYNC (no-space, all one word) is available in the app store for iPhone and the Play Store for Droid devices. The app includes contact information for utilities and first responders, shelter locations and information, real time traffic maps and evacuation routes and other information. The contact information for utilities includes each electric cooperative in the state.
Be Prepared . . .
Be prepared for bad weather and informed on restoration procedures by reviewing the following:
Food Safety and Power Outages . . .
USDA offers the following recommendations for maintaining food safety while the power is out.
- Never taste a food to determine its safety!
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperatures.
- Each time the door is opened, a significant amount of cold air is lost.
- The refrigerator will keep food cold safely for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed.)
- Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40° F or below.
- Obtain dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic-foot full freezer for two days.
- If the power has been out for several days then check the temperature of the freezer with an appliance thermometer or food thermometer. If the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40° F or below then the food is safe.
- If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer then check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals then the food is safe.
- Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items after four hours without power.
- When in Doubt, Throw it Out!
24/7 Food Safety Hotline: 1.888.764.6854
