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Mountain Electric Cooperative, which provides power for customers in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee, issued a release Friday saying its electrical grid suffered severe damage from Tropical Storm Helene and more than 10,000 people remained without power.

“There were thousands of trees, poles, and electrical lines damaged,” General Manager Rodney Metcalf said in the release. Because of these hazards, please do not attempt to remove any electrical lines that are hanging low or lying on the ground. The electrical grid in several areas will need to be completely rebuilt.”

Those who have a medical need (such as oxygen, dialysis, or other medical conditions) are advised to find a local emergency shelter.

Mountain Electric provided the following report:

Mountain City

There are currently 1,800 members without power. 

General areas where crews are working include Mining Town, Forge Creek, Little Dry Run, Shingle Town, Rainbow, Lower Forge Creek, and Copperhead Road. 

General areas where tree crews are working include Preserve Way, Copperhead Road, Forge Creek, Laurel, and Mining Town.

Workers will be in the Trade and Poga/U.S. 321 area as soon as those areas can be accessed.

Roan Mountain and Newland, N.C.

There are currently 8,500 members without power.

General areas where crews are working in Newland include Buck Mountain (N.C. side), Mountain Glen, Roaring Creek, Beech Mountain, Linville, Blevins Creek, and Banner Elk.

General areas where crews are working on clearing trees in Roan Mountain include Piney Grove, Simerly Creek, and Fairview to McCurry Road.

Crews are working on lines in areas that branch off Highway 143.

“Please be patient with our crews and all utility workers,” the release signed by Metcalf said. “They are working as hard as they can to restore service. We will get to your location as quickly as possible. 

“Many of these employees have sustained damage to their own homes and are unable to do any repairs because they are working to serve others in the community above themselves,” he said. “Please keep our community and our employees in your prayers for safety.”