Appalachian Power warns of power outages during the weekend due to heavy storms
Roanoke, Virginia – In the wake of debilitating storms that swept through southwest Virginia, Appalachian Power warned on Saturday that more residents might find themselves without electricity, following a string of outages that have already affected tens of thousands of customers in the region.
Efforts to restore power have been formidable, with crews working tirelessly throughout the night on Friday. As of the most recent reports, electricity has been reinstated for over 30,000 customers. Despite these significant strides, the unpredictable nature of the ongoing weather disturbances has left thousands more still languishing without essential services, and additional storms on Saturday only exacerbated the situation.
Regarding the timeline for full restoration, the utility company acknowledged the uncertainty of the circumstances. An official statement indicated that there is no current estimation for when all affected areas might see power restored, citing Saturday’s storms’ complexity. The company promised further updates on Sunday morning, reflecting their ongoing commitment to keeping the public informed.
Appalachian Power, beyond its restoration endeavors, has emphasized the importance of safety during these trying times. A solemn warning issued by the company underscored the life-threatening dangers associated with downed power lines:
“All downed lines are dangerous — they carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. Stay away to stay alive. If you encounter a fallen wire, keep yourself and others away from it and anything it may be touching, and call 911 and Appalachian Power at 1-800-956-4237 immediately.”
This statement was accompanied by a list of additional safety tips, available on the company’s website, which readers can access at appalachianpower.com/outages/faq/OutageSafetyTips.aspx.
In an effort to foster communication and provide customers with up-to-the-minute details on the outages affecting their specific accounts, Appalachian Power has made provisions for personalized notifications through text message or email. Customers wishing to avail themselves of these real-time updates can subscribe to Appalachian Power outage alerts.
A continually updated snapshot view of the current outages is accessible at any time, reflecting the utility’s commitment to transparency and ongoing communication with its customers.
