RICHMOND, Va., February 14, 2021 / PRNewswire / – Dominion Energy Virginia teams are working to restore power after more than 48 hours of freezing rain and the accumulation of ice has caused significant damage to parts of Central and Southern Virginia yesterday, including broken posts and hundreds of overturned power lines. Restoration efforts are underway and the vast majority of customers can expect to be online again by Tuesday.
The crews are working in the safest and fastest way possible to make the remaining repairs, which include replacing broken posts and crosspieces and repairing overturned power lines.
- More than 290,000 customers have lost energy since 4am Saturday.
- From 3:30 pm Sunday, teams restored service to more than 175,000 of those customers.
- More than 5,700 workers and more than 600 bucket trucks are dedicated to this storm restoration effort. Dominion Energy’s crews South Carolina service area are also hired to support restoration.
- Damage has been reported in more than 4,700 workplaces, and since 3:30 pm, the teams made the necessary repairs in more than 2,000 of these locations.
Ice storms pose a unique challenge to energy restoration efforts because ice continues to weigh on tree branches and power lines, even after the storm passes; Additional interruptions can occur when the ice starts to melt and the tree branches return to their place.
“This is the most damaging and widespread ice storm we’ve seen in Virginia since January 2000 “, said Charlene Whitfield, senior vice president of power supply for Dominion Energy. “Fortunately, our storm restoration plan brings together resources from across our system and beyond to enable us to respond safely to our customers – even in the most difficult conditions.”
An accumulation of ice on trees and power lines caused by several days of freezing rain has brought significant damage and power outages to surrounding areas. Richmond and across the south Virginia. Snow and ice caused dangerous travel conditions and made access to some areas difficult. Once patrol teams arrive at a job site, the first thing they will do is assess the damage and collect data – a critical step in establishing estimated restoration times for customers. Dominion Energy is committed to sharing more specific restoration times as soon as it has enough information to provide an accurate estimate.
As assessments are made, teams work first to restore power to facilities critical to public health and safety, such as hospitals, firefighters and police departments and public water systems. Then, they work to return the service to the largest number of customers in the shortest amount of time. Once major repairs are completed, restoration efforts will focus on smaller groups of customers and individual homes and businesses.
Customers can stay up to date on the status of a power outage using the Dominion Energy app or online at DominionEnergy.com.
To ensure the fastest response, Dominion Energy asks customers to report their power outages. The quickest way to report or track an outage is using the Dominion Energy app or online at DominionEnergy.com. Customers can also call 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) to report an outage.
Here’s how customers can be safe:
- Watch out for overturned power lines and remember that they may be covered with snow. Suppose they are energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet apart and make sure that other people avoid the dropped line as well. Virginia and North Caroline customers should call 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) immediately to report a power line cut.
- Make sure that the generators are connected correctly. Make sure that they are supplied, tested and connected in a well-ventilated outdoor area. Improper use of a generator can be fatal for customers and teams working to restore power.
About Dominion Energy
More than 7 million customers in 16 states power their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), based in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energy and to achieving zero net carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050. Visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.
Dominion Energy SOURCE
Related Links
http://www.dominionenergy.com