Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA – The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative is preparing for possible electric outages that may result from snow forecasted to begin falling sometime Friday night, Dec. 18, 2009.
“We constantly monitor weather forecasts in our Operations Center,” says Allen Barbee, vice president, Electric System Operations. “The forecast is for heavy snow in the six counties we serve. We are preparing for the worst and have crews ready to restore power in case outages occur.”
Contacting NOVEC
In case of outages, Barbee says customer-owners should call NOVEC’s interactive voice response system (IVR) at 703-335-0500, or toll-free 1-888-335-0500. They should follow the prompts. Instructions are in English and Spanish. Operations coordinators will be on duty 24-hours a day.
Barbee says customers should make sure NOVEC has their current phone numbers because NOVEC’s outage system uses caller ID to expedite the outage reporting and restoration process. “To report a new or changed number, a customer should have his or her account number handy, call NOVEC, and follow the prompts to verify or update a phone number.” Barbee notes that since cordless phones do not work when power is out, cell phones should be charged in advance of the storm.
Outage Updates
Customers can monitor their service restoration status by calling the IVR. If they have access to online computers, they can view the outage map on the Home Page of www.novec.com.
Barbee requests that all customers who experience an outage turn off their heating and cooling systems and wait at least 15 minutes after service is restored before turning them back on. He says, “This measure will reduce the possibility of a system overload.”
Outage Safety Tips
- Have flashlights, battery-powered lanterns and other light sources ready, and have fresh, extra batteries on hand.
- Use a NOAA weather radio or other battery-powered radio for information.
- Have enough medicine, first aid supplies and baby care items. If prescriptions are essential, get them refilled. Click on the National Hurricane Center’s Disaster Supply Kit http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml.
- People should stay away from downed power lines or trees lying on lines. They should notify NOVEC immediately if they see a downed line. If NOVEC’s phones are busy, they should call 911.
- Warning! Portable generators must be properly installed by an electrician outdoors, never inside a building or a closed garage. Generators can produce lethal levels of carbon monoxide. Improper installation can destroy a home. And, excess generator electricity can backfeed into power lines and possibly electrocute linemen who are working to restore power. Log on to www.novec.com for important generator safety information.
- People should not use candles, but if they do, they should watch them and keep them away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials.
- People should not step into flooded or snow-filled areas where submerged outlets and cords may have energized the space. Electricity running through water is lethal. All homes should have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to help prevent electrocution and shock. Portable GFCIs can be installed without tools. They cost $12 to $30.
- Open drapes and shades during the day to collect solar energy. Close them at night to trap heat indoors.
- Go in and out of the house infrequently to keep heat indoors.
- Keep the refrigerator closed. Food will last approximately one day, and frozen food up to two days. If power is out longer than that, put perishable food in a secure cooler and place it in the garage or on a porch if the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Frozen food will stay frozen if it is 32 degrees or below.
- If it is 32 degrees or below inside, water pipes can freeze. Let them drip until power is restored.
