As many as 8,000 Cherokee Electric customers are currently without power.

Cherokee County is currently experiencing a widespread power outage, with the first reports coming in just prior to 9:00am Friday.  The Cherokee Electric Co-op manager, Randal Wilkie has informed WEIS Radio that it appears someone fired a shot into the Gaylesville substation, causing extensive damage.  Wilkie repeated that there are the number of customers in the affected area is around 8,000.

He stressed that this WILL be an extended outage and all customers will need to plan accordingly – adding that the nation’s supply chain has been broken by many COVID-related issues, and accordingly, spare parts and equipment are extremely hard get.

Much of northern Cherokee County is currently being affected – including portions of Cedar Bluff, Gaylesville, and Broomtown,  Their website – www.cherokee.coop – does feature an up to date outage map for the areas affected, and the Cherokee Electric Co-op number is (256) 927-5524.

We’ll have additional information as it becomes available.