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(WSAZ) – The winter storm could cause extended power outages, says Appalachian Power on Sunday.
The company is urging customers to be prepared, especially those requiring electricity for medical devices.
Appalachian Power says its Storm Response Team has mobilized 700 additional line and support contractors, with another 250 on standby, to join its workforce ahead of Winter Storm Blair’s impact.
Light-to-moderate ice accumulations of up to 0.50″ are expected in most of the company’s Virginia and West Virginia service areas along with snow accumulations.
Ice accumulations over a quarter inch weigh down trees and electric lines and can cause utility problems.
Extreme cold temperatures can cause line overload problems when trying to restore a large number of customers.
How Appalachian Power Restores Power
• In a major power outage, priority is given to restoring circuits that deliver electricity to essential public safety facilities such as hospitals, 911 call centers, water treatment plants, and police and fire stations.
• Next, Appalachian Power will perform repairs to restore electric service to the largest pockets of customers in the shortest amount of time. Sometimes, a single repair can restore service to hundreds or thousands of customers. Appalachian Power will then move on to repair portions of circuits that restore service to smaller pockets of customers. These repairs may restore service to dozens of customers when completed.
• In the final phase, power is restored to individual homes and businesses. This phase of the restoration process can be time-consuming after a significant storm because there are so many of these kinds of repairs.
Prepare an Emergency Outage Kit
Appalachian Power’s grid is robustly designed and constructed to withstand Appalachian weather. However, no system is entirely immune to nature’s forces. Gather an emergency outage kit that includes:
• Flashlights and fresh batteries
• Battery-powered radios or televisions
• Candles, matches or lighters
• Water for drinking and cooking
• Portable heater, either oil or gas (Note: Some portable heaters can cause fires or other safety hazards when not used as specified by the manufacturer. Be sure to review the safety specifications of your specific model before using it during an outage.)
• Camping equipment like sleeping bags, camp stoves and lanterns
• Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
• Manufacturers’ instructions for your generator (if you have one)
• Instructions for how to manually open your garage door
• Important over-the-counter medicines
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