REC crews are responding in force to restore power this evening after prolonged wind gusts of 50-plus-mph roared through Virginia on Sunday.
The weekend’s heavy rains left the soil saturated, so the powerful winds not only broke branches, but also uprooted trees onto power lines.
As of 9 p.m., REC had logged more than 340 separate outage locations. Each damage site can require a crew to visit, assess damage and then make specialized repairs, which can sometimes take multiple hours to complete.
Gusty conditions are expected to continue through Sunday night. Crews will work as quickly and safely as they can until all power is restored.
“This was a ‘perfect storm’ in terms of the powerful winds arriving in the immediate aftermath of soaking rain,” said Casey Hollins, Managing Director — Communications and Public Relations. “Downed trees lead to broken power poles and downed wire, which our crews are working to repair. For some outages, this will be a multi-day restoration effort.”
Important safety reminders:
- If you see a downed power line, always assume it is energized and dangerous. Stay away from the line and anything that might be in contact with it. Call 911 and contact REC at 800-552-3904 to report downed power lines.
If your backup power plan includes using a generator, be sure to follow all safety guidelines including:
- Isolate your generator from REC’s power lines. Connect appliances or other devices directly to the generator with the appropriate cords.
- If you connect it directly to your building's wiring, a generator transfer switch is required to separate your generator from the co-op's system.
- Take care when fueling your generator. Never refuel the unit while it's operating.
- Provide adequate ventilation and air cooling for the generator to prevent overheating and the accumulation of toxic fumes. Do not install your generator in a closed area. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is poisonous.
