224,000 people across Virginia and Northern North Carolina lost power due to the winter storm.
According to Dominion Energy, they have made significant progress restoring power today, but they say there is more work to do this Friday evening and Saturday.
As of 5 p.m. Friday, Dominion Energy crews have restored power to more than 75% of the 224,000 customers impacted by Friday’s severe wind and plunging temperatures.
Dominion Energy crews made significant progress over Friday night restoring power to 93% of the 224,000 customers.
In Hampton Roads and Northern NC, about 79,000 customers lost power. Crews made repairs and restored service at nearly 1,300 work locations since yesterday. As of Saturday at 10 a.m., 2800 remain in the dark at 166 locations. Hundreds of crews will continue working around the clock until everyone’s power is restored.
Their goal is to restore power to nearly all remaining customers impacted by the storm by 11:00 p.m. Saturday. If a restoration project extends past 11:00 p.m. Saturday, they said they will proactively contact those customers.
Bonita Billingsley Harris, Dominion Energy’s director of media relations, said crews have been working around the clock to restore power and extra crews are on standby in case it gets worse.
“Our crews have been working nonstop,” said Billingsley Harris. “They won’t rest until the last person’s lights are back on. The outages seem to be pretty well scattered across our area, but they do seem to be a little worse in coastal areas, like the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Virginia Beach and in areas that have a lot of trees, like on the Peninsula, Williamsburg, New Kent,” “We’re seeing trouble in those areas, but we’ve also had problems in Suffolk, Chesapeake. It really does seem to be pretty well spread out. These wind gusts are going throughout our areas, knocking down trees and power lines and causing trouble for our system.”
The powerful wind gusts also created challenges for some drivers hitting the road, especially those driving on bridges or through tunnels.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) closed for about 45 minutes around 1 p.m. Friday after wind gusts clocked in around 60 mph.
The bridge reopened for cars at 2 p.m., but semi-trucks, buses, camper trailers and other six-wheel trucks were still not allowed to cross. Officials said it wasn’t safe because those vehicles could tip over.
VDOT lowered the speed limit on all its bridges and tunnels.
Many folks were braving the chilly temps and high winds all day.
“It came out of nowhere,” said Margot Powell of Norfolk. “I went out this morning, the sun was shining. It was beautiful and now it’s freezing cold.”
Hessam Safavi of Norfolk got in a last-minute jog before the weather got worse.
“I’m not used to it, so I don’t know how I should adjust my pace and my energy, so that makes it harder,” Safavi said. “The wind, the resistance makes it harder.”
Jay Garrett of Norfolk said he’s used to wild weather.
“I honestly don’t think it’s that bad,” Garrett said. “I grew up in Buffalo, so this isn’t that bad to me compared to weather I’ve seen there.”
Gene Edwards of Norfolk said, “I’m trying to get out of here before whatever this is, is going to hit.”
Dominion Energy provides tips for customers:
- Their mobile app and website are the best ways to report outages and track restoration. For the fastest and easiest service, please report outages and track your restoration time through the Dominion Energy mobile app or website.
- Warming shelters and other emergency resources may be available in your area. Customers who are without power should contact 211 to find warming shelters and other emergency resources in your community.
- Stay away from downed poles and power lines. If you see a downed pole or wire, please report it by calling 866-DOM-HELP and stay at least 30 feet away. The line could be energized and dangerous.
- Keep your devices fully charged.
- Make sure your generator is properly connected. If you have a generator, make sure it is fueled, tested, and properly connected, and always operate it outdoors with good ventilation.
