Massive Power Outage in North Carolina Was Caused By Gunfire Damaging Substations, Leaving 40,000 Without Power

A massive power outage in North Carolina was caused by two substations being damaged by gunfire on Saturday night, according to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.

Over 40,000 people were left without power because of the criminal actions.

Mike Cameron of the Southern Pines Fire and Rescue Department told CNN that a gate at one of the locations was taken off the hinges.

his photos shows the gate to the Duke Energy West End substation in Moore County, N.C. on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. Tens of thousands were without power in the county after what authorities say was an act of criminal vandalism at multiple substations. pic.twitter.com/Rsgl6VvaXB

— いぶき (@ibuki53010508) December 4, 2022

Duke Energy spokesman Jeff Brooks told WRAL that crews are experiencing “multiple equipment failures” at substations in Moore County.

“We are actively investigating signs of potential vandalism related to the outages,” Brooks said.

DEVELOPING: Mass blackout after substations ‘sabotaged’ in Moore County, North Carolina#Moore l #NC
Police confirm several substations have failed as a result of individuals shooting equipment throughout the county. 38,000+ residents remain without power at this time. pic.twitter.com/SibuWGFP09

— Intel Point Alert (@IntelPointAlert) December 4, 2022

The sheriff’s office echoed Brooks’ statement.

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

The sheriff’s office continued, “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 post continued.

The Facebook post referred to the vandalism as an “act of violence.”

Governor Roy Cooper tweeted on Sunday that “I have spoken with Duke Energy and state law enforcement officials about the power outages in Moore County. They are investigating and working to return electricity to those impacted. The state is providing support as needed.”

I have spoken with Duke Energy and state law enforcement officials about the power outages in Moore County. They are investigating and working to return electricity to those impacted. The state is providing support as needed. – RC

— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) December 4, 2022

Anyone with any information about the incident is being asked to contact the Moore County Sheriff’s Office at 910-947-2931.

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