Dominion Virginia Power is Prepared For Approaching Ice Storm

RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power is prepared to respond to a winter storm expected to move through parts of Virginia on Sunday. Company trucks are stocked and fueled, and crews are ready to respond to outages.

Dominion expects freezing rain moving from southwest to northeast from the storm, which could knock trees and limbs into power lines and create outages. The exact timing and strength of the storm may vary. 

Dominion customers can use a computer or any mobile device to report power outages via the company's website, www.dom.com.  Customers also can call toll free 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) to report outages or downed lines.

The company will update its website with information about the storm restoration as it becomes available. A Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/DomVAPower, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dominionvirginiapower, also are available.

The highest priority for power restoration is always given to public safety and emergency facilities such as hospitals, emergency 911 call centers, and municipal water pumping stations. A video description of the storm restoration process is available online at https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/power-outages/restoring-your-power.jsp.  

Before the storm arrives:

• Assemble emergency supplies such as water – especially if your home is served by a well - flashlights, radios, extra batteries, medicine, cash and other critical items in an emergency kit.
• Have a plan for how you and your family will stay safe, how you will evacuate if necessary and where you might go.  Also consider who else you might need to check on during an emergency.
• Stay informed during the emergency through news reports and official information.

If your electricity is interrupted:

• If you experience an outage, report it and then turn off major appliances such as heat pumps, water heaters and stoves. Unplug other appliances such as TVs, stereos, microwaves and computers. This can help extend the lives of the appliances and prevent possible overloads to the company's system when power is restored. Leave one lamp or light on so you will be able to recognize when power is restored.
• If using portable or camp-type stoves or lanterns for cooking and lighting, ensure that the area is adequately ventilated.
• Post a list of contents on your freezer door to minimize the number of times you open it.

After the storm:

• Listen to your local radio station on your car or battery-powered radio for regular news and weather updates.
• Don't rely on your neighbors to report your outage. Use a computer or any mobile device to report power outages via the company's website, www.dom.com, or call toll free 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357).
• Stay away from fallen wires, flooded areas and debris. Treat all fallen wires and anything touching them as though they are energized.
• Follow safe operating procedures for generators. Never operate one inside your home or in an enclosed space, such as a garage.
• Do not connect portable generators directly to the electrical system of your home. Electricity could flow backward onto Dominion's power lines and endanger lives. Either have a qualified electrician perform the work or plug appliances directly into the generator using the proper-sized extension cords.
• Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide and can be deadly, so run your generator outside with proper ventilation. Store the fuel for your generator safely.
• Visually inspect the area around your electricity meter. If you detect or suspect any damage, call the company toll-free at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357).

Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 27,000 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates one of the nation's largest underground natural gas storage systems and serves retail energy customers in 15 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com. 

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power