Thanks to improved construction standards and routine line maintenance, rain typically does not impact Tideland’s electric system. However, it can cause short circuits if a vulnerability exists that doesn’t present itself during dry weather such as a cracked or broken insulator. Of course, heavy rain and strong winds can bring trees and branches in contact with power lines, causing momentary blinks or an outage. Rain is less likely to impact underground power lines unless flood conditions exist. At Ocracoke, we occassionally have blinks and arcing due to salt accumulation on power lines. In that case, a good heavy rain is our best friend to clear away the salt.