Powerful Nor’Easter Moving Through 36th District (UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

A powerful wind storm is causing damage across Northern Virginia and the 36th District. 

Dominion reported that 224,000 customers were without power this morning.

Here are couple important tips, websites and numbers to keep you safe:

• Monitor your local news sources for the latest weather conditions, and check the  National Weather Service  for up-to-date storm information.
• Stay off the roads, if at all possible.
• If you must drive, do so slowly and carefully, give yourself extra time to reach your destination, and leave plenty of driving room between you and the vehicle ahead of you.  Before getting on the roads, do the following:
• Call 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) to report road hazards or ask road-related questions at VDOT's 24-hour Customer Service Center.
• Call 511, go to www.511virginia.org or download the 511 mobile app to get the latest road condition information.
• Prepare for adverse driving conditions by having an emergency kit in your vehicle.
• Have all of your utility account information, additional light sources, and supplies to keep you warm on hand, in case of power outages.

Additionally, please use the link and the numbers provided below to stay up-to-date on current conditions or to report any power outages:

Dominion Resources Power Outage Line

1-866-366-4357

Dominion Resources Storm Center Outage and
Restoration Updates

NorthernVirginia Outages Map

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative 
1-888-335-0500

Washington Gas
1-800-752-7520

Columbia Gas
1-800-544-5606

Verizon Wireless
1-800-837-4966

Cox Communications

1-800-961-0027

Also, if you have any problems, you can always contact my office at 571.249.4484.  Stay safe!

***ADDITIONAL UPDATES WILL BE POSTED***

Updated 11 p.m.:

Dominion is reporting 324,000+ residents still without power, including approximately 34,000 in the 36th District.

Governor Northam declared a State of Emergency at 5:28 p.m. and Emergency Operating Centers are open in Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford Counties.

Earlier this evening, all southbound lanes on I-95 were shut down to inspect a Potomac Mills Sign.

Sustained winds above 20 mph are expected to continue tonight and into tomorrow morning with the possibility of 60+ mph gusts.

Updated 12:15 p.m.:

As of 10:16 a.m. this morning 329,696 people were without power statewide. Dominion is reporting that about 201,475 are their customers. Crews are working to restore electricity. The continued wind is making it dangerous for Dominion to operate some of their large bucket trucks. As soon as it is safe to operate, Dominion is focusing on restoring the main lines first and going into neighborhoods second. If you receive a call from Dominion stating that your power has been restored but your lights still are not turning on, they may have restored a main line in your community but have not restored your local line. Please place another call to the outage line listed above and confirm that your work request is still active.

My office is also available to follow up with Dominion on work requests. You can reach us at 571-249-4484.

Fairfax County has declared a local emergency. Local Emergency Operating Centers remain open in Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford Counties.

All southbound lanes of I-95 are closed due to damage to the Potomac Mills sign at mile marker 160. Traffic is being re-routed using express lanes. This closure is anticipated through the evening hours.

Weather reports indicate that wind will continue around 20 mph with gusts as high as 34 mph. Tonight, wind should taper to 13 mph with gusts around 31 mph.

Updated 4:15 p.m.:

Dominion reported that this is the largest outage since the derecho in 2012 and the most protracted high winds since Hurricane Irene in 2011. Approximately 114,000 customers in Northern Virginia are without power.  Dominion is prioritizing downed power lines due to safety issues they create. If you see a downed wire, stay 30 feet away, assume it is energized, and call 866-366-4357 immediately to report it.

Wind gust 35-40 knots will continue through the night.

Here is a helpful graphic from the Virginia Department of Emergence Management:

VDOT is reporting that all I-95 southbound landes are closed at the Prince William Parkway to allow crews to remove the Potomac Mills sign.

From VDOT:

In order to remove the sign safely, crane crews need winds to be less than 13 miles per hour. Once winds decrease to that speed, it is estimated that crane assembly may take three hours, and sign removal 8 hours. However, VDOT cautions that unforeseen circumstances may add to that time. VDOT is focused on restoring traffic back to its normal conditions as soon as possible.

The following road closures exist:
· All lanes of southbound I-95 at Prince William Parkway
· The ramp from southbound Route 123 to southbound I-95
· Telegraph Road between Prince William Parkway and Opitz Boulevard

Southbound I-95 drivers are being diverted into the 95 Express Lanes, where tolls remain suspended.

Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes, including Route 1 through Woodbridge and US 301 in Maryland. Once the sign is safely removed, VDOT will lift all lane and ramp closures.

Updated 7:30 pm:

Dominion issued a press release stating that power should be fully restored in Northern Virginia by Tuesday evening.

Updated 8:15 a.m.:

Dominion reports that this is the fifth largest outage in company history. 82,000 customers statewide are still without power. 50,000 of those are in Northern Virginia. The majority of critical services are restored and Dominion is now focused on neighborhood restoration. The vast majority of customers should be back online by Monday evening with the remaining restoration to be completed by Tuesday evening.

Updated 2:30 p.m.:

The Virginia Emergency Support Team issued their final report. The highest wind gust reached 81 mph which is the strength of a Category 1 Hurricane. It occured in Rapahannock County. Fairfax County's emergency declaration remained open as of 11 a.m. this morning.

I-95 southbound lanes remain closed due to damage to the Potomac Mills sign at mile marker 160. The closure is anticipated through tonight with sign removal expected to begin around 7 p.m. to be completed in the early morning hours.

Today and tonight, winds will range from 11-16 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph.