Wake Forest Power crews are responding to a power outage affecting approximately 200 customers along North Allen Road, South Allen Road, and East Wait Avenue.
The cause of the outage is not known.
Power is expected to be restored by noon.
Wake Forest Power (WFP) has received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2023. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association (APPA), a trade group that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities.
APPA helps members track outage and restoration data through its subscription-based eReliability Tracker service, then compares the data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities.
“It’s encouraging to see year after year that public power’s track record for providing highly reliable service is backed up by data,” said APPA Director of Research and Development Paul Zummo. “These utilities are the best of the best when it comes to keeping the lights on. And these communities should be proud of their local power providers and appreciate the hard work that goes into earning this recognition.”
Nationwide, the average public power customer has their lights out for less than half the amount of time that customers of other types of utilities do.
Locally, WFP conducts annual reviews of its system to identify areas that may need improvement and performs ongoing maintenance to prevent service interruptions.
According to the numbers for 2023, WFP’s average outage time was only 42 minutes, compared to 96 minutes for other electric providers in our area. This means that measured over approximately 8,500 electric meters, a WFP customer’s total outage time was 54 minutes shorter than the local average.
“We are proud to receive this recognition,” said Electric Utility Director Chris Terrell. “It is a testament to the hard work of all our employees to ensure that the lights stay on for all our customers.”
According to Terrell, WFP’s success can be traced to several factors, including its year-round tree-trimming efforts, the widespread installation of underground power lines, and the collaboration of engineers, linemen, and supervisors in the development of best practices that help reduce outage incidents, but when they occur ensure faster restorations.
A division of the Town of Wake Forest, Wake Forest Power works year-round to provide uninterrupted electric service to nearly 8,500 residential and commercial customers.
Through its Reliability Improvement Program, Wake Forest Power operates and maintains two electric substations and more than 95 miles of overhead electric distribution lines. Due to these efforts, Wake Forest Power customers enjoy dependable electric service 99.9% of the time.
For more information about Wake Forest Power, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/wake-forest-power.
***UPDATE - Power has been restored. Thank you for your patience.
The information below was distributed at 10:20 a.m.:
***UPDATE - Crews have determined today's power outage was caused by a faulty primary cable. Restoration efforts continue but may take longer than expected due to the need to replace the cable.
Thank you for your continued patience as crews work to restore electric service.
The information below was distributed today at 8 a.m.:
Wake Forest Power crews are responding to a power outage affecting approximately 72 customers along North Main Street, Pine Street and North College Street.
The cause of the outage is not known. Power is expected to be restored by 10:30 a.m.
***UPDATE - Power has been restored. Today's outage was caused by an animal inside the electronic switch.
The information below was distributed at 9:26 a.m.
Wake Forest Power crews are responding to a power outage affecting approximately 300 Wake Forest Power customers in and around downtown Wake Forest.
The cause of the outage is not known. Power is expected to be restored by 10:30 a.m.
Wake Forest Power (WFP) recently implemented a new Outage Management System (OMS) that utilizes one phone number to make reporting power outages and other issues easier. The new OMS will also allow WFP to introduce an online outage map later this year.
Featuring Interactive Voice Response (IVR), WFP’s new automated phone system allows customers to dial 919-435-9478 to report a power outage, make a payment, start/stop service, reconnect electric service, and report a street light outage.
Previously, customers had to call a different number to report outages. WFP officials say having one number for customers to call 24 hours a day simplifies the outage reporting process and enhances the overall customer experience.
Later this year, WFP will introduce an outage map on the Town of Wake Forest website (wakeforestnc.gov). The tool will assist in keeping WFP customers informed of outages and the status of those outages. It will also show customers the following:
Current duration
Estimated time of restoration
Whether a crew has been assigned
Number of customers without power
Cause (if known)
Customers can improve the outage response time by keeping their contact information up to date with WFP’s customer service department. Then, if a customer calls to report an outage from a phone number associated with a registered utility account, the outage management system will automatically know the account information, including the service address and where the outage is likely occurring. To update your contact information with customer service, call 919-435-9478.
For more information about WFP’s Outage Management System, email Electric Utility Director Chris Terrell at cterrell@wakeforestnc.gov or Chief Information Officer Adam Oates at aoates@wakeforestnc.gov.
Wake Forest Power (WFP) has earned a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3)® designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for providing reliable and safe electric service.
The RP3 designation, which lasts for three years, recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. Criteria include sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity. WFP joins more than 245 public power utilities nationwide that hold the RP3 designation.
“Receiving an RP3 designation is a great honor signifying a utility has demonstrated commitment to industry best practices,” said Troy Adams, Chair of APPA’s RP3 Review Panel and General Manager at Manitowoc Public Utilities, Wisconsin. "And ultimately, the culture developed from this pursuit of excellence and continued improvement through the RP3 program results in measurable value delivered to the local community.”
“We couldn’t be prouder to be honored with this designation,” said Electric Utility Director Chris Terrell. “This is the culmination of a lot of work from a lot of people who care about powering our community. But this designation is not the end of the story. We are committed to continuing to look for ways to improve our operations and service to our customers.”
A division of the Town of Wake Forest, Wake Forest Power supplies electricity to approximately 7,350 residential and 2,180 commercial customers. A public power community since 1909, Wake Forest is one of 32 members of the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA).
The American Public Power Association has offered the RP3 designation for 18 years now. APPA is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 49 million people in nearly 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. APPA advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations.
Wake Forest Power has scheduled a brief power outage early Thursday morning, Feb. 1, that will affect approximately 135 customers along Mangia Drive, Brunello Drive, and Piazza Way. The planned outage was originally scheduled for Wednesday but rescheduled due to the threat of inclement weather.
Thursday’s outage is scheduled from 5-6:30 a.m. Electricity will be turned off, so crews can safely install a transformer for the new WakeMed currently under construction.
Wake Forest Power wishes to thank the affected customers in advance for their patience and understanding during Thursday’s planned outage. For more information, contact Electric Utility Director Chris Terrell at 919-435-9572 or cterrell@wakeforestnc.gov.
Wake Forest Power crews are responding to a power outage affecting approximately 480 Wake Forest Power customers in and around downtown Wake Forest.
Affected streets include, but are not limited to, Mockingbird Lane, Wait Avenue, South Allen Road, South Brooks Street, Roosevelt Avenue, South White Street, North Franklin Street, Owen Avenue, Jones Avenue, Elm Avenue, Caddell Street, Deacon Ridge Street, Quail Avenue, North Allen Road, and Highgate Circle.
The cause of the outage is a blown transformer. Power is expected to be restored by 11:30 a.m.
Wake Forest Power has scheduled a brief power outage early Thursday morning, Feb. 1, that will affect approximately 135 customers along Mangia Drive, Brunello Drive, and Piazza Way. The planned outage was originally scheduled for Wednesday but rescheduled due to the threat of inclement weather.
Thursday’s outage is scheduled from 5-6:30 a.m. Electricity will be turned off, so crews can safely install a transformer for the new WakeMed currently under construction.
Wake Forest Power wishes to thank the affected customers in advance for their patience and understanding during Thursday’s planned outage. For more information, contact Electric Utility Director Chris Terrell at 919-435-9572 or cterrell@wakeforestnc.gov.
Due to the threat of severe weather, tonight’s Planning Board meeting has been canceled.
In addition, all Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) facilities, including Alston-Massenburg Center, Joyner Park Community Center, Wake Forest Community House, and Flaherty Park Community Center, will close today at 5 p.m.
All of tonight’s PRCR-sponsored basketball games have also been canceled.
The heaviest rains and strongest winds from the storm are expected between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch Tuesday afternoon for Wake County until until 9 p.m.
Stay Informed
Visit the Severe Weather Updates page on the Town website at http://bit.ly/WFSevereWeatherUpdates.
Visit the Town Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TownofWakeForest/
Download the Town app at http://bit.ly/TOWFApp.
Sign up for Town alerts and email notifications at https://bit.ly/WFEnotifier
