NEW BERN, N.C. (AP) - Much of a North Carolina city lost power after a transmission line was cut, leaving streets clogged with traffic because stoplights were out and forcing restaurants to close.
News outlets report the city of New Bern was left without power when a vegetation management crew was clearing an area around a transmission line Wednesday when they hit the line and damaged it. At one point, reports indicated more than 21,000 customers were without power.
City Manager Mark Stephens said on New Bern's Facebook page that the city was looking at options to reroute some power to restore some customers, but he said that effort would take time.
Nine schools in the Craven County system were without power and CarolinaEast Medical Center was operating with the help of a generator.
