Blue Ridge Electric Membership Cooperative reported that more than 10,000 Watauga residents are without power for Christmas, as of 9 a.m.

Forty percent of households are affected this morning by downed power lines caused by ice and high winds. Blue Ridge EMC reported most of the local outages are in the western portion of the county, with power loss at around 4 a.m. Zionville, Vilas and Amantha are among the communities most affected. More than 16,000 households are without power in the Blue Ridge EMC service district, according to its real-time map. Power outage tips are available at the Blue Ridge EMC Storm Room.

The N.C. Department of Transportion reports main roads are partially covered with snow and ice. The National Weather Service forecasts high winds and rain today, with temperatures rising and wind gusts reaching 38 mph.