WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – Appalachian Power crews worked through the night to restore electricity to approximately 10,000 customers following widespread outages caused by Winter Storm Blair.
The storm brought ice accumulation that caused extensive damage to power infrastructure, hazardous road conditions, and repeated outages as thawing and refreezing continued.
As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, about 26,000 customers remain without power, with 11,300 outages in Virginia and 14,700 in West Virginia.
The most heavily impacted areas include Bedford, Campbell, and Franklin counties in Virginia, as well as Lincoln, Clay, Mercer, Summers, and Roane counties in West Virginia.
Restoration Updates
Appalachian Power has set estimated restoration times (ETRs) for 90% of affected customers in key areas:
Virginia
- Christiansburg: 665 outages, restored by 11 p.m., Jan. 8
- Roanoke: 526 outages, restored by 11 p.m., Jan. 8
- Lynchburg: 2,576 outages, restored by 6 p.m., Jan. 9
- Rocky Mount: 3,964 outages, restored by 6 p.m., Jan. 9
West Virginia
- Charleston: 2,445 outages, restored by 8 p.m., Jan. 8
- Hamlin: 1,585 outages, restored by 8 p.m., Jan. 8
- Bluefield: 7,170 outages, restored by 11 p.m., Jan. 8
Damage and Repair Efforts
Crews are addressing 1,264 repair locations across the service area. Damage includes 815 spans of downed wire, 151 broken poles, and 40 transformers in need of maintenance.
Mutual assistance crews from neighboring utilities, including Dominion Power, are joining Appalachian Power employees and contractors, bringing the workforce to thousands.
Hydro Operations and Weather Impact
To maintain grid reliability during extreme cold, Appalachian Power may increase hydroelectric power generation.
Residents near the Claytor and Leesville dams should be prepared for fluctuating water levels in the New and Roanoke rivers.
Safety Reminders
Residents are urged to stay away from downed power lines and report outages to Appalachian Power.
Those using generators should ensure proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
