UPDATE - Sunday, 7 a.m.: For a full update of conditions, outages, water restrictions and more across Nothern Virginia on Sunday, see this story:
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Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) declared a state of emergency Saturday morning as Virginia prepares for what he says will be a "multi-day event with the potential for further problems."
At least 2.5 million people in the state lost power in the which ripped through the area with winds from 60 to 80 miles per hour around 10:30 p.m. last night. There were six fatalities - two in Fairfax County, the governor said. All were killed when trees fell on homes or cars.
"This is the largest non-hurricane power outage in Virginia history," McDonnell said. "It is the fifth-largest overall. That means it is going to be awhile before power is restored."
Compounding the recovery: no storm preparations (like the state and individuals would have in a hurricane) and out-of-state crews Virginia power companies could ordinarily count on are busy with efforts in their own states. The storm ran from Indiana to North Carolina on Friday.
The governor is urging people to work together - to help neighbors who may be without power, check on senior citizens and take it easy during cleanup as temperatures will near 100 degrees again Saturday.
"This is a dangerous sitution," McDonnell said. "Our biggest concern is the health and safety of our citizens. People should exercise great caution in this high heat."
In a state of emergency, the commonwealth can call up the National Guard. McDonnell says he has called 300 members to assist the Virginia Department of Transportation with traffic control.
Authorities can also put in place shelters. There is no word yet on the location of Northern Virginia shelters, but Patch will provide updates when that is available. Farifax County emergency management will also have that information on its website.
Rodney Blevins, Dominion Virginia Power vice president of electric distribution operations, said public health and safety facilities are the top priority for service returns. Nearly one million Dominion customers lost power Friday. About 200,000 have had power restored as of noon Saturday, he said.
Work will continue around the clock during the multi-day restoration effort, he said. For updated info, check here: https://www.dom.com/storm-center/index.jsp.
"With triple-digit temperatures and high humidity expected for the next several days, Dominion is urging all residents – especially the elderly and young children – to take precautions and seek relief at cooling shelters, public libraries or similar facilities if appropriate," he said.
"We will restore power as quickly and safely as possible in these challenging conditions."
We'll be updating that story throughout today, so check back often. Hope everyone is staying cool. (We've found a Starbucks in greater Alexandria with power, air conditioning and wi-fi, but it's already very crowded.) Beth Lawton Senior Regional Editor Patch, Northern Virginia
For those of you trying to reach people, phone service has been total crap for the last two days. My Verizon phone didn't start working until last night and AT&T was OK, but not great.
I originally attributed the fact that we rarely lose power on our block to underground wires, but it turns out it's more because we live across the street from the hospital and they're a priority customer. The one time we lost power it was because a crew was working on a transformer that delivers power to the hospital. Living near the hospital has its advantages. And disadvantages (sirens and helicopters).
Good Luck to all who live in Virginia and beyond. The devastation you have come through is almost too much to take - but you will - my prayers are with you all ....
In time, heavily suburban and urban areas can be undergrounded. It is still VERY expensive. If a community chooses to do so, they are likely to do it in sections (one area at a time). The good story is that the most vulnerable areas (due to old trees) are less vulnerable now. I think we need to think about WHY the storms happened. And what the responsible thing to do is. THAT is why I am running for Congress. Because the incumbent does not, is not cable of that, and or is not willing to face the music. Kevin Chisholm Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (Virginia’s 10th Congressional) www.chisholmforcongress.com
First of all good luck in your race to be elected to Congress. This vast and beautiful country will find a solution not only to the best way of preventing or averting another storm such as was unleashed recently, but eventually find a way to make sure people do not have to suffer as they surely have in the aftermath of this last storm. i still like the idea of under the ground cables, but do recognize the expense of doing so. We can never tame Mother Nature, so maybe we should be a little better prepared. There have to be many capable brains out there who can think of a way to do this ....
Thanks. I am afraid that luck will not get me into Congress. I hope I win your support! You can sign up for a newsletter at my website, if you like.