WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – Appalachian Power has announced plans to mobilize additional crews and resources as Winter Storm Blair threatens Southern West Virginia and Southern Virginia with heavy snow, sleet, and significant ice accumulations.
The utility company has activated 700 outside line and support contractors, with 250 more on standby, to assist its existing workforce in addressing potential power outages.
With ice accumulations expected to reach up to 0.50 inches and snow totals ranging from 8-12 inches in some areas, Appalachian Power is urging customers to prepare for extended outages, especially those reliant on electricity for medical devices.
Weather and Challenges
- Ice Impact: Ice accumulations over 0.25 inches can bring down trees and power lines, causing widespread utility disruptions.
- Snow Totals: The Wheeling, West Virginia area is forecasted to receive up to a foot of snow.
- Restoration Challenges: Extreme cold temperatures can strain power lines during restoration efforts, requiring crews to restore power gradually to avoid system overloads.
Storm Preparation
Appalachian Power has nearly 5,000 personnel ready to address outages across its service area. Crews have winterized vehicles, stocked supplies, and implemented severe weather protocols to respond quickly and safely.
The company is also coordinating with PJM, the regional power grid operator, to manage potential grid impacts.
Power Restoration Process
- Public Safety Facilities: Hospitals, 911 centers, and other essential services receive priority.
- Large Outages: Crews focus on repairs that restore service to the most customers at once.
- Smaller Outages: Repairs then progress to smaller groups and individual homes or businesses.
Emergency Preparedness
Appalachian Power encourages customers to gather an emergency outage kit, including flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishable food, and portable heaters.
Customers with generators should review safety guidelines, and those with automatic garage doors should know how to operate them manually.
