Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com

NORTHERN VIRGINIA—All Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative crews are working to restore electric power to approximately 2,437 customers on Dec. 31, 2008. NOVEC urges area residents to prepare for possible outages. 

“Strong winds knock out power by blowing trees and branches onto power lines,” says Larry Shaffer, manager, system operations.  “As of 11:30 a.m., we had outages effecting 2,437 customers. In Prince William County, 125 customers were without power. All NOVEC crews are dispatched and working on all outages.” 

Shaffer said NOVEC’s 24-hour system operations crew is monitoring weather forecasts and directing repair crews for outages. “AccuWeather predicts winds blowing at 25 miles-per-hour during the day and temperatures dropping to 17 degrees F tonight.  We’re going to be busy this New Year’s Eve.” 

Preparing for Possible Outages

• Post NOVEC’s telephone number—703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500—in an easy-to-find place.
• Make sure NOVEC has your current phone number.  NOVEC’s outage system uses caller ID to expedite the outage reporting and restoration process.  To report a new or changed number, have your account number handy and call the NOVEC numbers above.  Push or say “2,” then select options “3” and follow directions.
• Make sure children know how and when to call 911.
• 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.
• Cordless phones do not work when power is out.  Have a corded phone or make sure cell phones are charged.

If Power Goes Out

• Customers should call NOVEC’s interactive voice response system (IVR) at 703-335-0500, or toll-free 1-888-335-0500. Follow the prompts.  Instructions are in English and Spanish. 
• Customers can monitor their service restoration status by calling the IVR, or—if customers have access to online computers—by viewing the outage map on the Home Page of www.novec.com. 
• Stay away from downed power lines or trees lying on lines.  Notify NOVEC immediately if you see a downed line.  If NOVEC’s phones are busy, 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.
• Unplug sensitive electronic equipment such as TVs, DVD/ VCR players, microwave ovens, and computers to protect them from surges and fluctuations that may occur when power is restored. Turn off heating systems. After power is restored, wait five to ten minutes before turning equipment on again.
• Open drapes and shades during the day to collect solar energy.  Close them at night to trap heat indoors. 
• Do not use candles, but if you do, watch them.  Keep them away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials. Keep children away from lighted candles.
• Go in and out of the house infrequently to keep heat indoors.
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer 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 F.  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.