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WeatherMatrix
© 2002 WeatherMatrix.Net - Redistribution
Prohibited. Usage logged.
From: John Benjamin (jbenjamin{at}benjamincomputers.com)
Date: Thu Dec 26 2002 - 09:07:40 EST
ASHEVILLE - More than 2,000 customers lost electricity on Christmas Day when winds gusting as high as 60 mph knocked down trees and
power lines across Western North Carolina.
The National Weather Service issued a high-wind warning for much of the region until midnight Wednesday. Wind gusts as high as 76
mph were reported near Boone, and 50 mph winds swept through Black Mountain.
The winds also brought snow flurries, which dusted the ground Wednesday morning, but it wasn't officially a white Christmas.
"There has to be at least an inch of snow on the ground before it's considered a real white Christmas," said Michael Sager, a
meteorologist with Accuweather.
Asheville hasn't had a white Christmas since 1993, when 7 inches of snow fell on Dec. 20. Temperatures stayed cold enough to keep
the snow from melting for several days.
This Christmas, however, it was strong winds, not snow, that caused problems for many local residents. Carolina Power and Light
experienced power outages in eastern and northern Buncombe County and several near Spruce Pine in Mitchell County. By late
afternoon, more than 1,600 customers were without power. CP&L hoped to have power restored by midnight, spokesperson Nancy Thompson
said.
"We have all our crews out working and our storm center is open," Thompson said. "But what happens as we get some outages restored,
we get reports of new outages. But we're always prepared this time of year. This is not the first time our crews have worked
Christmas Day."
The French Broad Electric Corp. also reported scattered outages. About 600 Haywood Electric customers in the Beaver Dam, Thompson
Cove and Thickety communities lost power between 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., according to spokesperson Ken Thomas. Haywood Electric
also reported several smaller power outages.
"The ground is so saturated with water, the wind is uprooting trees very easily," Thomas said.
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