Dominion Energy Prepares for Winter Weather Challenges in Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is bracing for a winter storm that threatens to impact power lines, according to Dominion Energy concerns. Heavy, wet snow and rain are expected, prompting Dominion to prepare crews for potential outages. Local authorities are also on alert, and a statewide emergency has been declared by Governor Glenn Youngkin, with measures against price gouging now in effect.
NORFOLK, Va. — The impending winter weather forecast for Hampton Roads is raising concerns for Dominion Energy regarding the potential impact on power lines. Cherise Newsome, a spokesperson for Dominion Energy, highlighted that the expected storm could cause significant issues for the power infrastructure. “It’s the type of storm that we’re expecting that could cause trouble for power lines,” she stated.
As weather predictions suggest heavy, wet snow combined with rain, there is apprehension about the consequences on power lines. Newsome elaborated, “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 is prepared for potential outages resulting from the storm. By Monday afternoon, they announced that crews and equipment have been strategically positioned for prompt response. Newsome confirmed that, “Dominion Energy crews are working around the clock, and we have staged equipment and materials across our service areas.”
In anticipation of severe conditions in regions beyond Hampton Roads, Dominion Energy is dispatching assistance from its eastern region to central Virginia and northern Virginia. In the event of power outages, the company has established a prioritized restoration plan, ensuring that critical facilities such as hospitals and emergency services are reconnected first.
As of Monday, proactive measures are being undertaken by local authorities in Hampton Roads. Four out of the seven cities contacted by News 3 were monitoring circumstances and preparing equipment. Although the city of Hampton opted not to pre-treat roads due to expected rain and sleet, they indicated readiness to deploy sand if necessary.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is actively pre-treating its maintained roads with brine, and as of Monday, 19,000 pounds of salt and over 150,000 gallons of brine have been utilized in addressing winter weather conditions. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a statewide state of emergency early Monday morning to facilitate storm preparedness, while Attorney General Jason Miyares activated the state’s anti-price gouging statute to prevent price hikes on essential items during the emergency.
In summary, Dominion Energy, local authorities, and VDOT are preparing for the anticipated winter storm in Hampton Roads. Concerns exist regarding the potential impact on power lines due to heavy, wet snow. Preparatory measures are in place, including prioritization of power restoration for critical services and protective actions against price gouging. Coordination among different agencies underscores a collective approach to ensure public safety and readiness during the winter weather event.
Original Source: www.wtkr.com
