High Winds Knock Out Power to 5,000 Saturday Night in Fairfax County

As of 11 p.m. Saturday there were more than 5,000 homes without power in Fairfax County, according to Dominion Power.

Power outages due to high winds began to pop up across Northern Virginia Saturday night just after high winds kicked up about 7 p.m.. As of 8 p.m., there were 2,893 homes without power in Northern Virginia, according to Dominion Power.

Here’s a look at some of the outages from Saturday night, from the Dominion Power outage map:

• Burke: 1,814 homes without power off of Rolling Road
• Mount Vernon area: 1,334 near Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway and Richmond Highway
• Vienna (near Wolf Trap): 437 homes without power at Towlston and Route 7; estimated restoration time is between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. UPDATE 10:40 p.m. Power appears to be back on at this location, according to Dominion map
• Hybla Valley (Richmond Highway): 438 homes without power; on both sides of Richmond Highway; estimated restoration time is between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.
• Franconia: 93 homes without power; estimated restoration time is between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.
• Annandale: 62 homes without power; estimated restoration time is between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.

Here are some tips from Fairfax County if you experience a power outage:

Sudden power outages can be frustrating and troublesome, especially when they last a long time. If a power outage is 2 hours or less, you need not be concerned about losing your perishable foods.

For prolonged power outages, though, there are steps you can take to minimize food loss and to keep all members of your household as comfortable as possible.

If your power goes out:

• Report your outage! Never assume a neighbor has reported it.
  • Dominion Virginia Power: 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357), TTY 711; view outage map
  • Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC): 1-888-335-0500 or 703-335-0500, TTY 711; view outage reports
• Use a flashlight only for emergency lighting. Never use candles.
• Unplug electrical equipment until a steady power supply returns.
• Practice proper generator and surface heater safety.
• Leave one light turned on so you know when power is restored.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion.
• If power is restored, be certain it is steady before you plug equipment into it.