Update to SVEC Outages as of 11:30 a.m.

MT. CRAWFORD – Friday evening’s severe weather caused outages in the city of Winchester, Augusta, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties of Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative’s (SVEC) service region.  As of 11:30 a.m., approximately 8,306 members are without power in the SVEC service area. Please find an approximation of the outages, by locality, listed below.          

            Augusta                        1710

            Frederick                      511

            Highland                       1422

            Page                              1810

            Rockingham                 1769

            Shenandoah                 274

            Warren                            405

            Winchester                     365          

At the present time, the Cooperative is unable to provide any specific estimated restoration times due to the damage caused by the storm system and the large number of outages being experienced. Given the severity of the weather and the amount of resulting damage, SVEC has indicated that outages could last an extended period of time, possibly days.

With the number of members affected, SVEC has brought in additional manpower, including crews from six cooperatives, and three contractors from Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Virginia. In total, SVEC has about 400 men and women working to restore electric service. These crews will work diligently to restore electric service to our member/owners as quickly and safely as possible. As the day continues, more power outages may be recorded as crews work to restore service.  Additionally, during an event such as this, “blinking” of lights may occur.

Do not make any attempts to clear trees or other debris from power lines.  Note the location, and any other important information regarding these situations, and contact SVEC.  Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative will work to ensure that power is restored as soon as possible. As a reminder, individuals are encouraged to avoid contact with downed power lines. In the event that you lose power and you are an SVEC member, call SVEC at 1-800-234-7832, even if you think your neighbor may have called.  It is more effective for SVEC to know where all outages are located.

Chartered in 1936, SVEC serves more than 92,000 member/owners’ accounts in the counties of Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren and the city of Winchester in Virginia.  Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative was the first electric cooperative chartered in Virginia.