Rappahannock Electric Cooperative crews are preparing for possible power outages due to the major wind storm expected to impact REC's entire 22-county service territory.
Sustained winds of 30 mph with regular gusts in excess of 50 mph or higher are expected overnight Thursday through Friday night. These conditions could cause debris, trees and tree limbs to fall onto power lines creating outages. REC has personnel standing by to ensure service restoration is completed as quickly and safely as possible.
"As we prepare at REC, you can prepare, too," said Maxie Rozell, Eastern region manager at REC. "Stock up on items like batteries and flashlights, a can opener, a battery-powered radio, and cash. Also, make sure all of your mobile devices are fully charged."
Any member who is dependent on medical equipment that requires electricity should take steps now to seek alternative shelter or a source of backup power, as appropriate.
To report an outage, log in to MyREC SmartHub or visit myrec.coop/out. For those who prefer to phone in to report an outage, call toll-free: 1-800-552-3904. Monitor power outages and important information in the Outage Center in MyREC SmartHub or at www.myrec.coop/outagecenter.
Downed power lines are extremely dangerous. If you see one, stay away, and call 911 or REC immediately at 1-800-552-3904. Avoid wading through deep-pooled water, where downed lines could be hidden. If you're using portable generators, don’t connect them to home wiring system or outlets. It could cause high voltage to feed back onto power lines, severely injuring workers trying to restore power. Plug lights or other needed appliances directly into the portable generator itself.
REC provides electric service to over 165,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 17,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
