Hurricane Florence: NOVEC Warns Of Possible Power Outages

MANASSAS, VA—Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative customers are urged to begin planning now for possible power outages related to Hurricane Florence. Although the powerful storm's track has shifted south, large amounts of rain and strong winds could still create relative havoc in the Northern Virginia area later in the week and this weekend.

"Weather forecasters tell us Northern Virginia has received 150 to 300 percent of its normal rainfall since early May," Dan Swingle, Electric System Operations vice president, said in a statement. "All summer long, thunderstorms have caused trees sitting in extremely wet ground to give way and fall on power lines.

"The additional rain that Hurricane Florence will bring, along with the rain that has fallen since Saturday, will no doubt cause more rain-soaked trees growing outside our right-of-way corridors to fall on power lines. People should prepare now in case they lose electric service."

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Customers can follow NOVEC's outage reports on novec.com and on social media, but Swingle says not to report outages on social media.

"We need customers' addresses and account numbers for outage reporting," he said. "Customers should never post personal information on social media for security reasons. Instead, they should call or text us, or report the outage on our secure website. That's the safest and quickest way to communicate with us and have service restored."

Here are some tips, courtesy of NOVEC:

Prepare for Power Outages

• Post NOVEC's telephone numbers, 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500, in an easy-to-find place.
• Make sure NOVEC has up to two current phone numbers associated with the customer's account to help crews restore power much faster. Customers can update numbers onnovec.com under "My Account," or they may call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 and follow the prompts.
• Download NOVEC's smartphone mobile app at www.novec.com/apps.
• Keep cellphones charged. Have a phone charger in the car.
• Fuel all vehicles.
• Designate the safest shelter location. Be prepared to leave a mobile home. Develop a plan for someone disabled.
• Have an emergency kit ready. Include: non-perishable food, manual can opener, canned fuel for heating food along with matches or lighter, lots of bottled water, flashlights, lanterns, battery-operated radio, fresh batteries, ice coolers, first-aid supplies, a whistle to signal for help, and if applicable, sufficient prescription drugs, pet food, and baby-care items. Learn more at www.nhc.noaa.gov.
• Get emergency cash. ATM machines don't work without electricity.
• Have identification and documentation ready to grab. Store Social Security information; birth certificates; home, car, and life insurance files; passports; and other important documents in a waterproof file box. Store photocopies in a safe place.
• Pack the freezer with food or ice cubes. The fuller, the longer food will stay frozen. The opposite applies to refrigerators: The less food the better. So remove expired food from the refrigerator.

What to Do If a Power Outage Occurs

• Call, text, or report an outage at www.novec.com. Have your account number ready. Click on the "Outage Center" for information.
• Keep at least one exterior light on so Co-op crews will know when power has been restored.
• Warning: Stay away from downed power lines and poles and the area around them. Even metal storm debris hiding a live downed power line can shock or electrocute anyone who comes in contact with it. Notify NOVEC immediately about down lines at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500.
• Use flashlights, lanterns, or battery-powered candles. If you use real candles, keep them away from children and flammable household furnishings.
• Open freezers and refrigerators only when necessary. Put needed perishable food in coolers with ice or ice packs.
• Warning: Only use a portable generator, camp stove, or charcoal grill outdoors to prevent creating deadly carbon-monoxide fumes indoors. Hire a professional to install a whole-house generator because an incorrectly installed generator could back-feed electricity onto the grid and seriously harm line techs who are trying to restore service.
• After power is restored, wait five to 10 minutes before turning on appliances and HVAC systems.

MORE HURRICANE COVERAGE:

• Hurricane Florence Update: Storm Veers Away From VA
• Hurricane Florence: Fairfax County Urges Residents To Prepare
• Hurricane Florence: Travel Alerts Issued For VA Airports
• Hurricane Florence: Emergency Kit, Insurance Info To Know In VA
• Hurricane Florence: How VA Pet Owners Can Protect Furry Friends
• Keep Your Baby Safe During Hurricane Flo: Here's How

Image via National Hurricane Center