Danville Utilities crews are responding to widespread reports of power outages. The crews will work staggered 16-hour shifts. Assisting are crews from three N.C. cities. Restoration of service will take another 24 to 48 hours.
Here is the situation report as of 4:30 p.m.:
- As reported earlier today, large portions of the city and the counties in our service territory lost power this morning when a tree fell over a high voltage line, disrupting our power feed from AEP. The tree has been cleared and the feed restored.
- The customers who remain without power are those who lost power due to broken utility poles, fallen trees, and downed power lines in their neighborhood or area. Residents and visitors should stay away from downed power lines. These lines are dangerous because they could still be energized.
- Danville Utilities have received reports of nearly 30 broken utility poles, including six in the vicinity of Iris Lane and Orphanage Road. Pole replacements take several hours. Also, we continue to receive reports of additional fallen trees and downed power lines due to ice accumulations. We expect to see additional trees snap and power lines come down until temperatures on Sunday reach a level in which melting takes place. A high of 39 degrees is forecast on Sunday.
- When widespread outages occur, power and light line crews first are assigned to make repairs based on restoring power to the greatest number of customers in the shortest time. As lines are repaired and crews become available, they are assigned to areas with fewer outages.
- Customers should note that during the power restoration effort there are times when crews must temporarily shut off power to an area to make repairs. Once major lines serving a neighborhood are repaired, power may be on at some houses and off at others because of additional damage to lines and equipment serving those homes. Some houses may have electric service when others do not because houses may be on different lines or circuits.
- Each outage has different circumstances and some may take longer to identify the source of the problem. Widespread damage makes it more difficult to accurately predict when a particular customer's power will be restored.
- Customers using medical devices must make other arrangements in the event of a power outage and temporarily go to a location or medical facility that does have power. For customers unable to make other arrangements, they should call the non-emergency number for the Emergency Communications Center. That number is (434) 799-5111, option 8. The center will notify one of the participating agencies to meet the need.
- Danville Public Works crews have been on duty today to respond to reports of fallen trees in the streets in the city. Trees fell across streets in more than 20 locations. The trees have been cleared in all but two locations. The trees in those locations are entangled with power lines and will be removed when safe to do so.
- Public Works crews will monitor street conditions overnight and respond as needed.
- Temperatures currently are 33 degrees, and they are expected to fall slightly overnight. Any citizen in need of shelter should call the non-emergency number for the Emergency Communications Center. That number is (434) 799-5111, option 8. The center will arrange to meet the need.
