Dominion working to restore power
Published 11:16 pm Friday, June 29, 2012
UPDATE: The excessive heat warning has been canceled early. About 326 customers in Suffolk are still without power at 5 p.m.
Dominion Virginia Power is working to restore electricity to about 726 customers in Suffolk who lost power during Friday night’s storm.
The storm brought sustained winds in excess of 80 miles per hour in some parts of the company’s service area, according to a news release from Dominion. In Suffolk, large limbs were knocked down and some streetlights were without power.
On Saturday, Gov. Bob McDonnell declared a state of emergency to make state resources available in the response to the storms. According to a news release from his office, it is the state’s broadest non-hurricane-related power outage in history. More than 1 million power customers across the state are without electricity, and six fatalities are being blamed on the storm in Fairfax, Albemarle and Bedford counties.
An excessive heat warning and air quality warning remain in effect through 9 p.m. tonight.
Temperatures are expected to reach 100 to 105 degrees, with heat index values between 110 and 115 degrees.
The hottest temperatures and highest heat indices will occur before 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Residents are encouraged to drink plenty of water, stay in an air-conditioned building and check on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside, including wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and drinking plenty of water. When possible, reschedule outdoor activities to the early morning or evening. When working outside, schedule frequent breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned environment.
Those spending time outside should avoid alcohol or sugary drinks, because they cause the body to lose more fluid.
Anyone in a non-air-conditioned environment should beware of heat stroke. Symptoms include an extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees); red, hot, dry skin that is not sweating; rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; and nausea. If heat stroke is suspected, call 911; move the person to a cool, shady area; and cool him or her down using whatever methods necessary, including the shower or a garden hose.
The hot weather will continue on Sunday, with a high near 99 and heat index of 107 expected.
An air quality alert also is in effect through 8 p.m. Saturday because of ground-level ozone. Individuals with respiratory or heart ailments, older adults and children should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, according to the National Weather Service.
In addition, Saturday evening could bring another round of severe thunderstorms, though a watch had not yet been issued just before 1 p.m.