CNN –
A major power outage affecting about 40,000 customers in North Carolina’s Moore County is being investigated as a “criminal event” after crews found signs of possible vandalism at several locations, authorities said.
Several communities across the county began experiencing power outages shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
“As utility companies began to respond to the various substations, evidence was discovered indicating that intentional vandalism had occurred at several locations,” the sheriff’s office said.
Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted Sunday that state law enforcement would join the investigation.
“I have spoken with Duke Energy and state law enforcement officials regarding the power outages in Moore County. They are investigating and working to restore power to those affected,” Cooper said. “The state is providing support as needed.”
More than 38,000 customers were without power across the county Sunday morning, according to Duke Energy’s outage map. About 41,000 customers had lost power in Moore County and neighboring Hoke County, according to poweroutage.us.
Crews were experiencing “multiple equipment failures” that are affecting substations in Moore County, Duke Energy spokesman Jeff Brooks told CNN affiliate WRAL.
“We are also investigating signs of possible vandalism related to the outages,” Brooks said.
Deputies and officers from other law enforcement agencies responded to the various locations to provide security, according to the sheriff’s office.
Moore County is located in central North Carolina, about 50 miles northwest of Fayetteville.