Hampton Roads faces potential winter weather impacts, causing concerns for Dominion Energy regarding power line integrity. Heavy snow and rain could lead to outages, prompting Dominion to ready crews for emergency response. Local governments are monitoring conditions, while a state of emergency is declared in Virginia to prevent price gouging on essential items.
Winter weather forecasts for Hampton Roads have raised concerns for Dominion Energy regarding potential impacts on power infrastructure. “It’s the type of storm that we’re expecting that could cause trouble for power lines,” stated Dominion Energy spokesperson Cherise Newsome. Heavy, wet snow along with rain is anticipated, which can stress power lines, causing them to sag and possibly break.
Dominion Energy has prepared its crews and equipment to respond to emergencies. As of Monday afternoon, Newsome confirmed that Dominion crews are working diligently, with supplies positioned strategically across service areas to address any disruptions. Additionally, crews from the eastern region are being deployed to assist areas like central Virginia, which are expected to face more severe weather.
In the event of power outages, Dominion Energy has a systematic approach for restoration. “In winter weather, when there could be a lot of outages, there’s a priority that Dominion Energy uses to restore power,” explained Newsome. Critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and emergency services, will receive priority followed by restoration efforts in residential communities.
News 3 reached out to cities within the region regarding their preparations for the impending storm. Four cities confirmed they are actively monitoring weather conditions, with personnel and equipment on standby. The City of Hampton reported that due to anticipated rain and sleet, pre-treatment of roads would not occur; however, sand would be deployed if necessary.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) stated that brine is being applied to its maintained roads and reported extensive use of salt and sand in preparation for the winter weather. Furthermore, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a statewide emergency early Monday, while Attorney General Jason Miyares activated the anti-price gouging statute to prevent unjust price increases on essential supplies amid the storm.
In conclusion, Dominion Energy is proactively preparing for winter weather challenges in Hampton Roads, with crews and equipment positioned for rapid response. The focus remains on restoring power, prioritizing critical infrastructure before addressing community needs. Additionally, local governments and VDOT are implementing pre-treatment strategies, emphasizing readiness for the expected weather conditions while the state has declared a state of emergency to protect residents from price gouging.
Original Source: www.wtkr.com
