Electrical cooperative officials say the extreme cold and current power demand is stressing the electrical system to its fullest extent.
Habersham Electric Membership Corporation officials say they expect that to continue throughout this very cold day.
HEMC crews have been working throughout the night and will continue to work today and tomorrow, but are seeing fuses blow and their electrical equipment operate (causing blinks) due to the tremendous load being pulled on the system.
Habersham EMC officials ask members to respond now by reducing the load (their electricity usage) at their homes and anywhere possible.
Habersham EMC serves members in Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens and White counties.
Elsewhere in North Georgia, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC has begun rolling temporary interruptions of service 15 minutes each hour to try to stabilize the power grid.
Blue Ridge Mountain EMC serves 46,000 members in Towns, Union and Fannin counties in Georgia and two counties in North Carolina.
Ways to help:
Lowering the thermostat at least 2 degrees ASAP.
Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electronics, including lights.
Do not use any appliances or other electronics unless necessary.
Delay the use of hot water at this time if using an electric water heater.
