Power Outages Down to 70,000; Citizens Advised to Take Precautions Against Heat Wave
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued an update today regarding Virginia’s ongoing recovery from the powerful derecho and thunderstorms that occurred June 29-30. As of noon, details on the impact of the storms and ongoing recovery efforts are listed below.
“This historic time of extended power outages has brought together local governments, volunteer groups, state agencies and utility companies to work in close coordination to care for our citizens and restore essential services as quickly as possible, ” said Governor McDonnell. “It has been a trying time, and I am grateful for the progress that has been made and the patience our citizens have shown. We will continue our around-the-clock efforts until power has been restored to every household. In the meantime, I ask that every citizen be extremely careful in these high temperatures and seek cool places away from the intense heat.”
Power Outages as of 11:30 a.m.:
Statewide 70,601
APCO 65,512
- · City of Lynchburg 9,863
- · Roanoke, City of 9,581
- · Amherst County 7,627
- · Roanoke County 5,247
- · Bedford County 3,831
- · Giles County 3,584
Dominion Power 5,089
- · Shenandoah Valley/Western Piedmont 3,963
- · Northern Virginia 760
- · Richmond Metro/Tri-Cities 253
Fatalities
Storm-related fatalities: 13
- · Two in Albemarle County; two in Bedford County; one in Chesapeake; four in Fairfax County; one in Loudoun County; one in Montgomery County; one in Richmond and one in Roanoke
Roads Closed
120 closed (11 primary road and 109 secondary roads). Previous numbers were incorrect due to a software reporting error.
Current State Response
- · The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is coordinated delivery of water, generators and other supplies to localities, upon request. Only one generator, in Alleghany County, is still in use. All other generators have been released.
- · VDEM is providing volunteer coordination. Volunteers have prepared more than 6,000 meals, donated bottled water and provided equipment and generators.
- · VDEM has an event blog to record state response, track the opening of cooling centers and provide information to the public at www.virginiaderecho.tumblr.com
- · The Virginia Department of Transportation continues to coordinate with utility workers to open roads so that power lines can be repaired. Drivers can call 511 or visit www.511virginia.org for road conditions. Report road issues to 1-800-FOR-ROAD.
- · The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) issued heat safety information. Virginians should take precautions from the effects of high heat:
- o Keep cool in an air-conditioned area. Visit malls, local libraries, local cooling centers, or stay with family or friends who have air conditioning.
- o Take cold baths and showers to cool down.
- o Drink 2-4 glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour, regardless of your activity level.
- o Be aware that fans by themselves in extreme temperatures are not enough to prevent heat-related illnesses.
- o Those who need shelter, water or food should check with local social services departments, local emergency management officials, or volunteer groups for assistance.
Local Response
- · Nine local shelters are open; this number changes with need.
- · Localities are opening cooling centers to provide daytime relief from the heat for their citizens. To find cooling shelters, people should listen to their local media, call their local emergency management officials, or go to www.virginiaderecho.tumblr.com