Hampton Roads Braces for Winter Storm and Power Line Concerns

Hampton Roads is preparing for severe winter weather, with concerns for power line integrity due to expected heavy, wet snow and rain. Dominion Energy is ready with crews on standby and has plans for prioritizing power restoration, focusing first on critical infrastructure. Local governments are also taking necessary measures, including VDOT’s pre-treatment of roads. Virginia’s governor has declared a state of emergency to address potential challenges ahead.

Hampton Roads is facing potential winter weather challenges, raising concerns for Dominion Energy regarding the integrity of power lines. “It’s the type of storm that we’re expecting that could cause trouble for power lines,” stated Dominion Energy spokesperson Cherise Newsome. The forecast includes heavy, wet snow along with rain, which can weigh down power lines and cause outages. Newsome explained, “They can cause the lines to get stiff and break. They can weigh down power lines, causing them to sag, and all that can lead to outages.”

Dominion Energy has prepared for power outages, with crews and equipment on standby. “Dominion Energy crews are working around the clock, and we have staged equipment and materials across our service areas,” Newsome noted. Crews from the eastern region are being dispatched to assist areas in central and northern Virginia, which are expected to face harsher conditions.

In case of outages, Dominion has a strategy to restore power. Newsome clarified, “In winter weather, when there could be a lot of outages, there’s a priority that Dominion Energy uses to restore power.” Initial efforts focus on critical infrastructure, including hospitals and first responders, before addressing residential areas.

Local governments are also bracing for the winter storm. Several cities confirmed they are monitoring weather conditions and are prepared to deploy crews and equipment. The city of Hampton is not pre-treating roads due to anticipated rain and sleet that would render pre-treatment ineffective, but is ready to respond with sand if necessary.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is actively pre-treating its roads with brine, having utilized an estimated 19,000 pounds of salt, 4,000 pounds of sand, and over 150,000 gallons of brine to prepare for the weather. Additionally, Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a statewide emergency, while Attorney General Jason Miyares activated the anti-price gouging statute to prevent price increases for essential supplies amidst storm conditions.

Winter weather is anticipated to impact Hampton Roads significantly, prompting preparations from Dominion Energy and local government entities. With a focus on safeguarding power infrastructure and ensuring prompt restoration of service, the coordinated efforts aim to mitigate the effects of snow and wind. The declaration of a state of emergency reflects the seriousness of the situation, while measures against price gouging aim to protect consumers ahead of the storm.

Original Source: www.wtkr.com