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Wednesday in Moore County: Latest updates on power outages, resources, investigation

As Moore County residents enter their fourth full day without power, there is hope that power will be restored Wednesday.

Tens of thousands of county residents have been without power since Saturday, when two Duke Energy electrical substations in the county were intentionally damaged.

The outages have affected homes, businesses, schools and more in central and southern Moore County, a roughly 706-square-mile county in North Carolina’s Sandhills region that’s home to about 99,000 people.

Local, state and federal officials continue to investigate the outages.

As the situation continues to unfold, here’s what you need to know on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

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How many people are still without power in Moore County?

Duke Energy’s outage map shows that about 1,800 customers are without power in Moore County as of 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The majority of the remaining outages are between the Southern Pines and Aberdeen areas.

Power was largely restored in the Carthage area Tuesday. Other areas in the county, including Pinehurst, have had power restored throughout the day Wednesday.

When will power be restored in Moore County?

Duke Energy’s outage map lists the estimated time of power restoration in the county as Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.

A message on the outage map Wednesday said “all substation equipment damaged from recent vandalism has either been fully repaired or replaced.”

“Once we have completed all necessary testing, the gradual restoration of service to those Moore County communities still without power will begin,” the message read. “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.”

A map of power outages in North Carolina based on Duke Energy data as of 3 p.m. Dec. 6, 2022. Each yellow dot represents 10 residents, according to 2019 American Community Survey tract-level data. OpenStreetMap mapping data was used for landmarks and roads.
A map of power outages in North Carolina based on Duke Energy data as of 3 p.m. Dec. 6, 2022. Each yellow dot represents 10 residents, according to 2019 American Community Survey tract-level data. OpenStreetMap mapping data was used for landmarks and roads.

Moore County Schools closed

Moore County Schools are closed for all students and staff on Wednesday, the district announced Tuesday afternoon.

Schools will also be closed for students on Thursday. The district will announced by 4 p.m. Wednesday whether schools will be closed to staff on Thursday.

The district will also announce by Wednesday at 4 p.m. if schools will be closed to students Friday.

Once power is restored, the district said Tuesday, it will require 24 hours of notice to welcome students back.

Power restored at Moore Regional Hospital

Power came back on at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital — a 402-bed, acute care hospital in Pinehurst — around 9 a.m. Wednesday, said Gretchen Kelly, a spokesperson for the hospital. The hospital is now in the hours-long process of transitioning from generator power to full power.

The 11-bed hospice residence campus, located a couple miles from Moore Regional Hospital, had its power restored Wednesday morning, Kelly said. Power was restored to two primary care clinics in Carthage and a primary care clinic in Seven Lakes late Tuesday.

Since the widespread power outage started, the hospital was operating on a backup generator and had enough fuel to last “for several days,” with the ability to get more fuel as needed. FirstHealth worked with local pharmacies and medical device companies to provide support and resources for residents dependent on medical devices or who require oxygen, Kelly said.

Moore County’s transportation services are operating only for clients who have scheduled dialysis, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, the county website says.

Local residents who need help charging their medical equipment are welcome to access The Clara McLean House, a hospitality house on the hospital’s campus, for those needs, Kelly said. Community members who have general charging needs should look to shelter sites (listed at the bottom of this story).

Are there updates on the investigation?

Officials say the investigation into the attack is ongoing, with local, state and federal authorities “working around the clock.” No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been named yet.

Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields called the suspects who damaged the substations “cowards” at a press conference Sunday afternoon, and said the perpetrators in the attack knew “exactly what they were doing.”

Officials have said that a firearm was used to damage the substations, but have not provided details about the type of firearm.

Fields said that considering state and federal involvement and the “millions of dollars” of damage done to Duke Energy property, charges will have “more teeth, more bite,” and will be “extensive.”

The FBI on Wednesday posted a “Seeking Information” poster about the attack.

Gov. Cooper announces rewards

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Wednesday that awards totaling $75,000 are being offered to those who provide information leading to an arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for destroying the electric substations.

The three awards are up to $25,000 each from the state, Duke Energy and Moore County.

Was the substation attack domestic terrorism?

While some people, including on social media and in the community, have called the attack an act of domestic terrorism, Fields has not said whether he considers the incident as such.

Experts say it’s not possible to know if domestic terrorism occurred until the culprits — and their motivations — are known.

What is domestic terrorism? The FBI defines domestic terrorism as “violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature.”

At a press conference in the county Monday, Gov. Roy Cooper called the attack “a new level of threat,” echoing Fields’ insistence that the perpetrators knew what they were doing and acted deliberately.

“Regardless of motive,” he said, “violence and sabotage will not be tolerated.”

Cooper said investigators are “leaving no stone unturned” as they analyze the situation and whether it was terrorism.

How can I report a tip about what happened in Moore County?

Officials are asking anyone with information about the attack on the substations to call the sheriff’s tip line at 910-947-4444.

What security measures were in place at the substation?

Brooks has declined to discuss security measures at the Moore County substations or what changes might be made after the attacks.

“What I can say is that Duke Energy incorporates multiple layers across its system to monitor and protect critical infrastructure,” he said at Monday’s press conference.

Other substations around the country have previously been targeted in similar attacks in the past decade, perhaps most notably at Pacific Gas & Electric’s Metcalf substation in California in 2013, highlighting the vulnerability of the stations.

“We learn from every incident that security is always an evolving process,” Brooks said Monday when asked about the California attack. “We take information from our peers; we share information with our trade organizations and government agencies. It’s a collaborative effort to stay ahead of these kinds of challenges. Certainly that event provided learnings for all of the industry and was incorporated into our responses.”

What resources are available to Moore County residents?

The News & Observer created an interactive map with information about the resources available for Moore County residents on Wednesday. The resources include shelters and warming buildings, charging stations, food and more.

Click on a location pin on the map to learn more about the resources offered there.

You can also find more information about these resources in additional coverage by The N&O.

How can I help residents in Moore County?

There are opportunities available via GoFundMe fundraisers to support affected residents and businesses in Moore County.

Meat and Greek, a local food truck, is partnering with other local trucks to deliver free, hot meals to workers restoring power and families in need. To support these efforts, you can donate at gofundme.com/f/powering-the-powerless-feeding-fams-workers.

RADAR, a local dog rescue, was left without power and heat and moved the rescue’s seven dogs to an Airbnb short-term rental with a required pet deposit. To support the rescue’s costs during this time, you can donate at gofundme.com/f/help-rogue-active-duty-animal-rescue.

This story will be updated throughout the day.