Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA — Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative crews have restored power to almost 90 percent of the NOVEC customers who lost electricity when a powerful storm tore through the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic on Friday night. Deadly winds clocked at 80-100 miles per hour tossed trees and branches on houses, cars and power lines, and caused a number of deaths.
More than 2 million people reportedly lost power in the area, including about 37,000 NOVEC customers. The Cooperative estimates that the 3,900 customers still without power as of 2 p.m. on July 2 will have service restored before Independence Day.
“NOVEC understands how hot and miserable people are in this heat without air conditioning,” exclaims Mike Curtis, vice president of public relations. “I lost power at my home as did many of our employees. We urge customers who don’t have electricity to go to the library, the mall or somewhere that’s air conditioned while our crews work to remove trees off power lines and replace broken utility poles. We’re working as quickly and safely as we can in difficult conditions.”
The storm caused damage everywhere in the region, but some NOVEC neighborhoods in Loudoun County seemed to have received the brunt of the storm. “We’ve got tremendous damage there with broken [utility] poles and scores of trees on lines,” explains Greg Williamson, NOVEC system operations supervisor. “Multiple tree and line crews are working non-stop to get the power back on. If we continue at this pace, we’ll have almost everyone back online by tomorrow afternoon.”
Crews have come from as far away as Georgia to join NOVEC crews as they toil under the sun in Fairfax, Fauquier, Prince William and Stafford counties as well as Loudoun County to restore power.
Williamson notes the dangerous work that crews are doing. “The chainsaw is one of the most unforgiving, dangerous tools out there,” Williamson declares. “Add that danger to extreme heat and the urgency workers feel to restore power and customers will hopefully understand why safety has to come first.”
Williamson explains that line crews must wear hot, fire-retardant protective gear while working around electricity. “Those rubber gloves and sleeves make you sweat even on cool days. Just imagine how uncomfortable they are this week with the heat index topping 100 degrees! Nevertheless, our crews are out there and working around the clock to get everyone’s air conditioning up and running.”
Customers with Internet access can track restoration progress at http://stormcenter.novec.com/index.cfm
Curtis warns everyone to heed safety: “Downed power lines and trees touching the lines are extremely dangerous and should never be touched. If anyone sees a downed power line, report its location immediately to NOVEC by calling 703-335-0500 or toll free at 1-888-335-0500.
What to do if Power Goes Out
- Call NOVEC 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 times for service restoration.
- Open freezers and refrigerators only when necessary.
- ONLY use portable generators, camp stoves, or grills outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Heat food indoors in a chafing dish or fondue pot over canned fuel.
