Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, [email protected]
MANASSAS, Va. — Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative is preparing for a snowstorm that weather forecasters say could bring up to a foot of snow in portions of NOVEC’s service territory on March 13-14.
“If we get wet snow and ice, we could have trees and branches falling on power lines and causing outages,” explains Dan Swingle, NOVEC vice president of System Operations. “Whatever type of precipitation falls, NOVEC will be ready to restore electric service as quickly and safely as possible. Our line crews are equipping utility vehicles for the snowy conditions while our System Operation Center is increasing its staff to handle any power outages we might have.”
Swingle warns customers to never go anywhere near a downed power line. “If you see a line that’s down, assume it’s energized and deadly. Keep others far away and report it to us immediately at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500, and call 911.”
Prepare for Possible Power Outages
- Charge cellphones; cordless phones don’t work when power is out.
- Develop a plan for elderly or disabled family members.
- Have an emergency kit with plenty of bottled water and non-perishable food, flashlights with fresh batteries, battery-operated radio, lanterns, canned fuel, matches or lighters, manual can opener, and first aid. If applicable, have enough prescription drugs, pet food, and baby-care items.
- Stock up on firewood for a wood-burning fireplace or stove. Cover wood with a tarp or stack some in a carport to keep it dry.
- Fill the freezer with ice and have a cooler ready for refrigerated foods.
- Check batteries in smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors; replace if necessary.
- NOVEC customers should provide up to two current phone numbers to expedite outage reporting and power restoration. Customers who have not registered their numbers should call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 to associate their numbers with their accounts.
What to Do If Power Goes Out
- “We tell all customers who lose power to call us and use our automated process to report it,” Swingle says. “Our automated interactive voice response system works best because it reports outages to the control center immediately. Customers will hear the latest updates in the process.” Customers should provide NOVEC with up to two current phone numbers to expedite outage reporting and power restoration. Customers who have not registered their numbers should call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 to associate their numbers with their accounts.
Customers with access to the internet can report outages at www.novec.com. They can also use NOVEC’s smartphone application available at www.novec.com/apps or send a text message. To sign up for text messaging, customers can text the keyword NOVECOUT to 85700 or log onto their accounts on NOVEC’s website.
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