Senate passes bill protecting power grid from attacks

Law enforcement is investigating a large power outage as a criminal act, according to Moore County Sheriff’s Department.

Officials responded to a number of power substations across Moore County after a widespread power outage occurred on Saturday evening that left at least 38,000 customers without power.

Two of the substations have been damaged by gunfire, according to Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields.

“Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields reports that the mass power outage across the county is being investigated as a criminal occurrence,” said the sheriff’s office in a press release at midnight. “Just after 7 pm on Saturday evening, December 3, 2022, several different communities across Moore County began experiencing power outages.

“As utility companies began responding to the different substations, evidence was discovered that indicated that intentional vandalism had occurred at multiple sites. Moore County Sheriff’s Deputies and various other law enforcement agencies within the county responded to the different areas and are providing further site security.”

The first outage was reported in Carthage. Less than an hour later, power outages spread to the southern end of the county and northward to the Lee County line.

Moore County has issued a State of Emergency. There will be a countywide curfew enacted from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Sunday, Dec 4.

Moore County will be opening a shelter at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. The location will be at the Moore County Sports Complex – Recreation Center 155 Hillcrest Park Lane, Carthage. For more information you can call 910-947-6317.

“Anyone with any information about this act of violence should contact the Moore County Sheriff’s Office at 910-947-2931,” said Fields.

To view Sheriff Fields’ press conference, please click on Sandhills Sentinel’s Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/SandhillsSentinel

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Photo: Officials investigating a power substation in Southern Pines off Highway 15-501 near Chick-fil-A on Dec. 3. Photo by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Patrick Priest.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email