Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Oct. 29, 2012 — Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative crews are deployed throughout NOVEC’s service territory and working on power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy
At 4:45 p.m. on Monday, approximately 2,700 NOVEC customers were without power. NOVEC is expecting more power outages to occur Monday night through Tuesday as Sandy’s wind speeds increase.
Extra line and tree crews from North and South Carolina are assisting NOVEC’s crews. “We’ve put crews at strategic locations in our six-county region to help us restore power faster,” explains Mason “Skip” Hollcroft, manager of NOVEC’s line technicians.
Hollcroft says the crews are working 16-hour shifts in tough conditions. “It’s bad enough trying to see with rain spraying in your face,” notes Hollcroft. “But when you add nighttime, lower temperatures, high winds and high-voltage electricity to the mix, you can understand why we’re concerned about safety. We won’t send men up in bucket trucks to work on power lines when winds are hurricane strength; it’s just too dangerous. We ask everyone who loses electricity to be patient. We’ll get the lights back on as soon as it’s safe.”
NOVEC urges customers to make sure NOVEC has their current phone number. The correct number will expedite outage reporting and power restoration. Customers who use cellphones and have not registered their numbers should call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 to associate their numbers with their accounts.
“If a customer loses power, he or she should call one of our numbers to report it,” instructs Larry Shaffer, vice president, System Operations. “Co-op members may not get a customer service representative, but our interactive voice response system sends a message to us immediately that your power is off. The system also provides updates.” Customers with access to the Internet can report outages at www.novec.com on computers and www.novec.com/mobile on smartphones. They can also use NOVEC’s new smartphone application, available at http://www.novec.com/contact_us/apps.cfm.
“Customers can follow what’s happening on Facebook and Twitter,” Shaffer notes, “but they must not report outages via social media. Social media sites aren’t connected to our reporting system. Call us or go online instead.”
Prepare for Power Outages
- Cordless phones do not work when power is out; keep cell phones charged.
- Designate the safest shelter location. Be prepared to leave a mobile home for better protection. Develop a plan for someone disabled.
- Have an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, flashlights, fresh batteries, battery-operated radio, lanterns, canned fuel, matches, and first aid. If applicable, have enough prescription drugs, pet food, and baby-care items.
- Have identification and documentation ready to grab. Keep Social Security information; birth certificates; home, car, and life insurance files; and other important documents in a water-proof file box.
- Before a storm hits, unplug TVs, DVD/ VCR players, microwave oven, and computers to protect them from power surges and lightning strikes.
- Call NOVEC at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500, or report the outage online at www.novec.com if you have access. The Outage Center will provide updates.
- Open freezers and refrigerators only when necessary.
- Use portable generators, camp stoves, or grills outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Alternatively, heat food in a chafing dish or fondue pot over canned fuel.
If you see downed power lines and poles, STAY AWAY! Water on the ground – even damp pavement -- and debris near power lines could be energized and deadly. Notify NOVEC immediately!
