Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Oct. 31, 2012 — Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative crews have reconnected more than 93 percent of the customers who lost power when Hurricane Sandy barreled through the eastern part of the United States this week. NOVEC estimates that most of the remaining 2,100 customers still waiting for service will be reconnected to the power grid by Thursday night.
“Our temperatures went from balmy 70s on Saturday to 40-some degrees on Monday when Sandy’s full force of rain and wind tore through here,” recollects Mike Curtis, NOVEC vice president of public relations. “We know customers without electricity are cold, frustrated, and anxious to have power restored. That’s why we’ll not leave the field until the last customer can turn on the lights.”
NOVEC has had extra crews from North and South Carolina, and Maryland working with them since Sunday morning. Overnight, more out-of-state crews arrived to help cut trees off power lines and replace scores of broken utility poles.
“Photos on our website show the extensive damage Sandy did to our system: from Loudoun County, to the entire town of Clifton in Fairfax County, to Stafford County. Crews are making sure all power lines are repaired and connected. Some damage is so bad that it may take a couple more days to remove trees and replace broken poles. We appreciate everyone’s patience.”
Curtis praises crew members: “They went out in the worst of the storm to reconnect customers and they haven’t stopped. They’re doing a tremendous job under very challenging conditions. The job they do is very dangerous under the best of circumstances and more so in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. We’ve received many positive comments about the professionalism of our crews and contractors from customers who know what our crews have been facing.”
Curtis cautions parents about Halloween tonight: “This year, Halloween is dangerous. If you do allow children to go out for Trick or Treat, accompany them and be extra careful.
There may still be downed power lines in your neighborhood. If you see a tree or debris on the ground, don’t touch it. It may be covering a power line; all downed lines should be treated as live. Walking on wet ground anywhere near a live line can be fatal. If you see anything suspicious, call NOVEC at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 immediately.”
What to do if Power Goes Out
- Call NOVEC at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500, or report the outage online at www.novec.com if you have computer access. The Outage Center provides estimated when they are available.
- Open freezers and refrigerators only when necessary.
- ONLY 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.
