Pickens County Journalism Since 1999
Ice storm updates from Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative
Updates are in chronological order, beginning with the first updates
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative encourages members to prepare now for potential ice storm outages
Blue Ridge Electric Co-op is urging members to prepare now for potential extended outages from an ice storm forecasted to hit the Upstate this weekend.
Co-op leadership has secured multiple out-of-state crews to respond to any weather-related outages. Blue Ridge always maintains a stock of poles, transformers, and other equipment to repair damage. Although forecasts continue to change daily, now is the time to prepare for potential power outages, said Blue Ridge CEO/President Jim Lovinggood.
“Winter weather in our service area can be unpredictable, and ice storms have the potential to cause significant damage to our infrastructure,” he said. “That’s why we’re urging members to prepare now. Once the storm hits, it will be too late.”
If you or someone you care for depends on life-supporting medical devices, make plans now in case electrical service is interrupted. If necessary, contact your medical provider for backup equipment.
Best safety practices include having the following items on hand:
- Cash
- Non-perishable food; manual can opener
- Flashlights
- Batteries; portable chargers
- Fuel for Generators
- Water
- First-Aid Kit and Prescriptions
Outage Reporting
Conveniently report outages by texting OUT to 800-240-3400, through the mobile app or by calling 888-258-3743. The co-op’s control center and member service representatives will remain available 24/7.
Members should bookmark the co-op’s online outage page and follow Blue Ridge across social media platforms for the latest information.
January 21, 2026
Update from Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative on Sunday night, January 25
(Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative to The Pickens County Chronicle)
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative update on Monday afternoon, January 26
Published Monday, January 26, 2026
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative update on Monday night, January 26
Pictured are Cody Peters (lineman in the bucket, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative) and Jake Gravely. (Photos by Canyon Durham, Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina) (Photos courtesy of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative to The Pickens County Chronicle)
Published Monday, January 26, 2026
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative update on Tuesday night, January 27
More than 20,000 members have had power restored since Winter Storm Fern arrived Sunday. Around 6,000 were brought online today as the co-op moves into the closing, tedious steps of restoring small clusters of outages. Fewer than 4,000 outages remain, and all members have service in Anderson County once again.
Published Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative update on Wednesday night, January 28
Ninety-eight percent of the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op system is online tonight after Winter Storm Fern arrived Sunday. That afternoon, a third (~26,000) of our members were without power. We’re grateful for the patience and support from our membership and public officials, as well as the work from the other co-ops (Berkeley, Black River, Broad River, Coastal, Edisto, Horry, Little River, Palmetto, and Tri-County) that joined us this week.
Below is a photo of some of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s linemen (yellow hard hats, L-R: Xander Knight, Braxton Bearden and Kolt Nabors) working with Tri-County Electric linemen in Six Mile this morning.
Also below is a photo of a road in Travelers Rest that a crew worked on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative to The Pickens County Chronicle
Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative to The Pickens County Chronicle
Published Wednesday, January 28, 2026