Moore County substation attacks: Almost all power restored
Duke Energy announced Wednesday morning that all substation equipment damaged from recent attack has either been fully repaired or replaced and power restoration was imminent.
As of 5:25 p.m. Wednesday, only four Duke customers were without power, according to a power outage map.
"Once we have completed all necessary testing, the gradual restoration of service to those Moore County communities still without power will begin," the notice posted to Duke Energy's website reads. "To avoid overwhelming the electrical system, we will bring power back on gradually with the goal of having the majority of customers restored before midnight tonight."
Also on Wednesday morning, the FBI released a poster seeking information in the targeted attack on two substations Saturday that knocked out power to tens of thousands of customers in Moore County. The FBI noted the damaged substations in Carthage and West End are about 10 miles apart. As of 11:30 a.m., 14,127 Duke Energy customers in Moore County were still without power. All Randolph EMC customers have had their power restored, according to a power outage map.
Moore County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Richard Maness said Tuesday that the investigation into the attack on the substations was still underway.
"Our investigation continues at a very fast pace," Maness said. "Our tip line has been very active over the last 24 hours."
Officials at the press conference encouraged the public to send any potential information to the tip line 910-947-4444.
Bryan Phillips, director of Moore County Public Safety, said officials were working to confirm if a death in the county was the result of a medical condition or tied to the power outage. The resident who died was without power, he said.
In addition, Moore County Schools are closed Wednesday and Thursday, according to a news release Tuesday. Friday's status will be announced by 4 p.m. Thursday, the release said.
Once power is restored, schools require 24 hours of preparation before welcoming students back. Food supplies must be moved to sites with electricity, and the district will avoid operating school buses in unsafe road conditions caused by the outage, according to the release.
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Shelter and other help for Moore County residents
A shelter for residents remains open at the Moore County Sports Complex-Recreation Center, 155 Hillcrest Park Lane, Carthage, according to a news release from the county. A shower unit is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the sports complex.
Shower and laundry units are set up from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following places:
First Baptist Church Aberdeen, 700 N. Sandhills Blvd., Aberdeen
First Baptist Church Pinehurst, 7373 NC-211, West End
Meals will be available for pickup only from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the following locations:
503 North Sandhills Blvd., Aberdeen
Hillcrest Sports Complex, 155 Hillcrest Park Lane, Carthage
Morganton Road Sports Complex, 100 Fire Lane, Southern Pines
For more information, residents can call 910-947-6317.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Power grid attacks NC: Here's the latest happening in Moore County
