WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – Appalachian Power says they are monitoring the potential for severe weather to impact the company’s Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee service areas.
The weather system is forecast to include heavy rain and strong winds from Thursday through Saturday. Saturated soils, combined with damaging winds, could lead to power outages.
According to Appalachian Power, all crews and contractors are on alert in their respective locations, packed and prepared to work.
The company will secure additional crews to assist if outages occur.
They stress that service restoration work during this storm could be slowed by impassable roads or long-duration high wind gusts that would make working aloft in buckets unsafe.
Appalachian Power provides the following tips ahead of the potential storms:
- Plan in the event a power outage occurs. Check with those who are elderly, have young children or have medical conditions to ensure they have a plan — and don’t forget your pets.
- Charge devices such as phones, laptops, portable chargers and other electronics that will help you stay connected.
- Prepare an emergency kit. At a minimum, include non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, batteries, a battery-powered radio, a first-aid kit and necessary medications.