Rocky Mount cut utilities during 90-degree heat. Did city follow its own policy?

WRAL Investigates found dozens of Rocky Mount residents had their utilities disconnected during a stretch of 90-degree temperatures, raising questions about whether the city followed its own policy designed to protect residents during extreme heat.

Monique Shehadah had her utilities turned off on Monday, as part of the first round of disconnections. 

"Last night, I am telling you. I was in a bucket of sweat," she said. 

Shehadah is facing nearly $3,000 in unpaid utility bills. Many residents say they got behind on their bills after a utility billing issue that led to two bills being sent back-to-back. 

"I pay all the bills by myself. I have no help, and it's all on my shoulders, and I'm trying to do the best I can," she said.

WRAL Investigates found the disconnections resumed despite a city policy stating that utilities will not be shut off during "extreme weather conditions."

The city's policy states the following:

"The City may not exercise its right to disconnect service for non-payment of any bill due to extreme weather conditions. Winter temperatures that stay below 30 degrees for several days or summer temperatures that exceed 90 degrees for multiple days are considered extreme weather conditions."

WRAL Investigates asked city officials to explain why service was disconnected despite the policy.

In a statement, a city spokesperson said officials review National Weather Service forecasts to determine whether temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees for multiple days.

"Based on that review, the threshold under Section 14.3 was not met during the dates in question," a spokesperson said. 

WRAL meteorologists reported that high temperatures had exceeded 90 degrees for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, despite the forecasts. 

For Shehadah, the lack of power has become a health concern for both herself and her father.

"My chest's been hurting me. My high blood pressure's been acting up. My dad has a brain aneurysm. He has a coil. He has high blood pressure. He has congestive heart failure," she said. "We are stuck."

In a statement earlier this week the City of Rocky Mount said they gave residents many months to pay off outstanding balances.

"Customers were provided more than six months to pay outstanding balances or establish payment arrangements before standard utility account management practices resumed."