Dominion Power Outage Affects 110,000 in Virginia Amid Extreme Heatwave Warning

Virginia is currently experiencing significant power outages affecting approximately 110,000 customers, with Dominion Energy being the most impacted utility in the region. These disruptions coincide with an intense heatwave prompting the National Weather Service to enforce an Extreme Heat Warning throughout east-central, south-central, and southeast Virginia. The advisory cautions residents about potential heat index values reaching 110°F, urging people to stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity until 8 p.m. EDT. Notable urban areas under the warning include Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Suffolk, and Newport News.

Dominion Energy is reporting concentrated outages in counties like Hanover, Henrico, and Chesterfield, amounting to roughly 22,786, 34,180, and 14,158 affected customers respectively. Besides Dominion Energy, other local power providers experiencing outages are Central Virginia Electric Cooperative, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Southside Electric Cooperative, and Community Electric Cooperative.

As temperatures continue to soar, these outages are exacerbated by high demand for electricity, primarily driven by air conditioning usage. Dominion Energy is employing smart technology to identify issues and reroute electricity efficiently. Restoration efforts are underway, focusing on areas hardest hit by the outages, such as northern Virginia counties Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington. These counties alone saw nearly 20,000 customers lose power amid the oppressive heat, with the situation reminiscent of a similar period in June when approximately 72,000 customers were affected due to storm-related outages.

Residents are advised to remain indoors, wear lightweight clothing, stay hydrated, and avoid strenuous activities during peak heat hours. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly and children, are most at risk of heat-related illnesses due to the oppressive humidity. Cooling centers, including community centers and libraries, have been opened in Fairfax and Loudoun to accommodate those affected by the heatwave and outages.

Efforts to alleviate the situation involve continuous work from Dominion Energy's crews, although a precise timeline for complete restoration has not been established. Officials are emphasizing the importance of effective communication and expedient response from utility services to ensure public safety during these conditions. As the heatwave persists, residents are encouraged to stay informed through Dominion's outage map and heed safety advisories.

Minnesota is also grappling with power outages affecting nearly 11,786 people, attributable to severe weather disruptions. Dominion Energy and Xcel Energy are actively engaged in restoration operations to resolve these service interruptions. Safety measures are vital, and authorities are urging the population to seek air-conditioned shelters where necessary and monitor updates from local utilities for service advisories and restoration information.

This multifaceted situation underscores the challenges posed by severe weather patterns on infrastructure and emphasizes the need for continuous enhancement to resilience strategies to withstand increased demands during such extreme conditions. As regional efforts to restore normalcy continue, residents are reminded to maintain vigilance and adhere to safety protocols to navigate the heatwave and power outages effectively.