VA Power Restored After Storms Cause Widespread Outages

Virginia was hit by damaging winds and heavy rain Thursday, knocking out power to thousands. As of 10 a.m. Friday, about 41,000 utility customers across the state were without electricity, according to the tracking site PowerOutage.US.

By 7 p.m., the outages were down to about 13,000.

Northern Virginia and the Richmond area were hardest hit by outages. The most outages were in Fairfax County with about 12,136; Henrico County with 10,634 and 2,969 outages in Arlington County.

Customers can call Dominion at 866-366-4357 to report an outage or downed line, or make a report online. The utility urges residents to stay 30 feet away from downed power lines.

NOVEC, which serves parts of Northern Virginia, has reported some outages. Outages may be reported to NOVEC at 703-335-0500, online, or texting “#OUT” to 85700.

There are no storms in the forecast to aggravate the power issues. Instead, conditions are expected to be clear through the weekend, but the heat will send temperatures soaring.

The National Weather Service predicts high temps of 85 degrees on Friday, 91 on Saturday, 96 on Sunday, and 99 degrees Monday through Tuesday.

Tips During Power Outages

To prepare for power outages, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management recommends:

• Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity.
• Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
• Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
• Sign up for local alerts and warning systems. Monitor weather reports.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.
• Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.
• Review the supplies that are available in case of a power outage. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water.
• Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
• Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.

During a power outage, the state recommends:

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer.
• Maintain food supplies that do not require refrigeration.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
• Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
• Go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can cause damage.
• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
• If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use medicine only until a new supply is available.

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