NOVEC pouring all its efforts into replacing broken poles to get power on for about 250 homes

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative crews, like most electric utilities from Virginia to Maine, have been working around the clock to restore electric service to millions of homes, schools and businesses after Winter Storm Riley’s winds caused extensive damage March 2-4.

NOVEC has restored service to most of its 40,000-plus customers who lost power during the storm, and is now pouring all its efforts into getting the lights on for approximately 250 more customers by midweek.

“The windstorm snapped utility poles, broke cross arms, and slammed trees onto power lines all over our territory,” according to Dan Swingle, vice president for NOVEC system operations. Swingle was quoted as saying, “Our most difficult challenge at this point is broken utility poles. Windblown trees and branches broke more than 100 of them.”

Here’s why each pole requires many hours to replace once crews reach the outage location, according to Swingle: “We have to cut away branches; remove power lines, transformers, and other equipment on the pole; erect and secure a new pole; and then reattach lines and equipment. It’s time-intensive and dangerous work. We ask customers to be patient while crews do this job.”

What to do if a power outage occurs

Either call NOVEC at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500, follow the text-message instructions, or report an outage at http://www.novec.com Have .your account number ready.

Warning: Stay away from downed power lines and poles and the area around them. Be aware that 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 instead of real 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, NOVEC ask that you please wait five to ten minutes before turning on major appliances and heating systems.

Learn more about storm preparation and outages at http://www.novec.com/outageinfo.

About NOVEC

NOVEC, headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, is a not-for-profit corporation that provides electricity to more than 167,000 metered customers in Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, and Clarke counties, the City of Manassas Park, and the Town of Clifton. The utility is the largest electric co-op in Virginia and one of the largest electric cooperatives in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.novec.com or call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500.