Storms deal Blue Ridge system a double hit

Thunderstorms broke several poles in the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative system. Compounded by problems with a transmission line, all Blue Ridge crews were called in to make repairs. The hardest hit part of the multi-county system was Pickens County, centered in an area north of the city of Pickens. By 7:30 this morning, more than 429 Pickens County customers remained without service. The number in Oconee County was down to 31. Several trees fell in the Salem area, but all roads in that area are reported to have re-opened.