Winter Storm Blair Final Update
Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 – 7:30 p.m.
Situation
Cold load pickup is challenging Appalachian Power crews as they work to restore power on Thursday. Winter Storm Blair left 100,505 customers across the company’s Virginia and West Virginia service areas without electric service on Monday. As of 7:30 p.m., approximately 3,000 customers remain without power, with 2,200 still out in the hardest hit areas of Bluefield (Virginia and West Virginia).
Workers are committed to completing repairs in below freezing temperatures until all customers are restored.
More winter weather is expected to begin Friday morning, with forecasts predicting that much of the Appalachian Power service territory will see snow showers. Appalachian Power’s Storm Response Team is closely monitoring the situation. Company crews, contractors and mutual aid crews are ready to respond should power outages occur.
Restoration Estimate
The estimated time of restoration (ETR) is when Appalachian Power expects to have 90% or more customers restored. Slower power restoration progress due to the frigid temperatures and cold load pickup has extended the ETR for the hardest-hit areas to 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10.
Weather
When power is restored, electricity rushes to appliances left on, creating a demand surge called “cold load.” Utilities need to manage this to avoid system overloads and further outages. Appalachian Power’s Storm Response Team asks that customers still without power turn off large appliances like water heaters and lower the thermostat a few degrees for at least one hour after the power comes back on. This proactive approach helps the grid manage electricity distribution, which can reduce the risk of further outages.
Storm Restoration Efforts
- Hazardous road conditions in remote and rural areas continue to delay travel, and crews must clear ice or debris upon arrival, further slowing progress.
- Workers have found 45 miles of downed wire, 150 damaged or broken poles and 105 transformers needing maintenance.
- Appalachian Power’s Storm Operations Team continues working with local and state officials to assist in restoration efforts.
- Appalachian Power’s generation facilities follow specific protocols and procedures to combat the expected winter weather and ensure safe and reliable operations across our entire generation fleet.
Hydro Operations
- With cold temperatures expected to impact our territory throughout the week, PJM notified Appalachian Power it may need to increase power generation at its hydroelectric plants to maintain the reliability of the regional electric grid.
- Recreational users downstream of Claytor and Leesville dams should be aware that water levels on the New and Roanoke rivers could rise rapidly and fluctuate throughout the week.
- Visit the Smith Mountain Project's website for more information.
Safety
- Stay away from sparking equipment, downed lines or anything they may touch. This goes for children and pets, too.
- Never remove debris that's within 10 feet of a downed power line.
- Unplug major appliances to protect them when power comes back on.
- Leave a light switch turned on so you know when power is restored.
- Refuel heaters, lamps and generators outside, and away from flames or sparks. Wipe up fuel spills immediately.
- Let us know if you're using a generator – this protects you and our line workers as they work to restore power.
- Never operate lanterns, heaters or fuel-fired stoves without proper ventilation.
- Never burn charcoal indoors. It releases poisonous carbon monoxide.
Click here for additional safety tips and here for ways to save energy during low temperatures.
For More Information
- Customers can get specific information about the outages affecting their accounts via text message and/or email by subscribing to Appalachian Power outage alerts. To sign up, please visit AppalachianPower.com/Alerts.
- A snapshot of current outages is available anytime by visiting Appalachian Power's Outage Map.
Next Update: This is the final update for this event.