Dominion Power Faces Heatwave Challenges, Impacting Over 108,000 Virginia Customers

Dominion Energy is contending with substantial power outages across Virginia, impacting approximately 1.1 lakh customers amid an oppressive heatwave. The outage situation has intensified due to high demand triggered by excessive heat, with Dominion Energy shouldering the majority of the burden. As of Sunday morning, over 108,000 Dominion customers were without power, highlighting the severity of the ongoing service disruption.

The outages are most severe in counties such as Hanover, Henrico, and Chesterfield, where the combination of power loss and rising temperatures is posing significant challenges to residents. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning, effective until 8 p.m., involving heat index values that could reach 110°F, significantly raising the risk of heat-related health issues. Cities including Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Newport News are among those under advisory, where residents are cautioned to remain indoors, stay hydrated, and limit exposure to heat.

Dominion Energy reports indicate disruptions for nearly 20,000 customers in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington counties, emphasizing the breadth of the impact across Virginia. These counties are experiencing repeated outages linked to both weather-induced demand and infrastructure strain, similar to the outages seen in June that impacted over 72,000 customers.

Efforts to restore power are ongoing, with crews employing smart grid technologies to isolate and address problem areas more efficiently, although no specific timeline for full restoration has been shared. Dominion Energy encourages residents to report outages through its app and to maintain a safe distance from any downed power lines. The intensity of the heat, combined with above-average spring dryness, has placed additional stress on the power grid, echoing past incidents such as the January Arlington outage.

Authorities are urging the public to prioritize safety by seeking shelter in air-conditioned locations such as community centers and libraries, which are operating as cooling stations. Vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and children, are advised to take extra precautions against the oppressive heat.

The heatwave has illuminated infrastructure vulnerabilities and sparked discussions among local officials around the need for improved communication and expedited response times from Dominion Energy. As the extreme weather persists, the utility and residents alike are navigating the dual challenges of high demand and environmental stress, underscoring the need for resilience and preparedness as temperatures continue to rise.