‘In storm prep mode’: Virginia power companies prepare for ice storm outages

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) — Virginia electric companies are preparing for widespread power outages as a winter weather system threatens the region with ice accumulation that could weigh down and break power lines.

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and Dominion Energy say they have mobilized additional crews and requested mutual aid from other states to respond to potential outages.

“We have been in storm prep mode,” said Casey Collins of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative.

The utilities are bringing in reinforcements from outside Virginia to supplement their existing workforce.

“We have mutual aid responders coming in from other states that will join our already existing large team of employees as well as some contract crews who will be joining our workforce,” said Casey Hollins of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative.

The approaching winter weather system has raised concerns about a repeat of the devastating 1998 ice storm that left hundreds of thousands of families without power and crippled central Virginia for weeks.

Craig Carper with Dominion Energy said it takes very little ice to cause major problems for the electrical grid.

“About a half inch between two power poles can weigh up to 500 pounds, so that’s enough to cause a problem,” Carper said.

Residents are advised to stay at least 30 feet away from any downed power lines, as electricity could still be flowing through them.

If extensive power outages occur, Dominion Energy will prioritize restoration based on critical infrastructure needs. Hospitals and water treatment plants will receive first priority, followed by schools and grocery stores, then neighborhoods and business areas.

The timeline for power restoration will depend heavily on location and road accessibility.

“Some of these customers living on secondary roads, it could be days before the roads are cleared and work can begin. So I want to do some level setting and let people know this is going to be a multi-day event,” Carper said.

Electric companies will also monitor for refreezing conditions in the days following the storm.

“We just want everyone to understand we’re all in this together,” Carper said.

Check how you can report outages to your power provide here.

“We have an outage center there with an outage map that automatically pushes information in real time,” Hollins said.

Copyright 2026 WWBT. All rights reserved.