Prepare for Snow, Ice, and Possible Power Outages

February 14, 2025 -

1pm update:

The restoration is still underway but there is still some ground to cover. We are down to 12 outage locations and 26 members affected! We expect all to be restored by later tonight.

Today, the crews have utilized every mode of transportation we have to get to broken poles. We have 6-wheelers and track machines and winches have definitely been needed in the muddy conditions. We started the day with 20 poles to replace. On a blue sky day, a pole replacement can take about 4 hours. This final push will be long and slow, but safety is our top priority and we want to get these crews home safely to their families.

Thanks to our members for keeping the positive vibes and sending them our way to fuel the work.

7am update:

We are down to 27 outage locations with 122 members affected. CVEC and mutual aid crews are working on replacing broken poles and downed wire. Many of these locations require the use of track machines and climbing because the ground is too saturated to access with a bucket. However, our crews are up to the task and are working to restore power as quickly as safely as possible.

There is still downed wire out there, so please be cautious and stay at least 30 feet away. If you see downed wire, report it to CVEC and your local authorities.

Be careful traveli

February 13, 2025 -

7pm update:

We are in the home stretch! Down to 39 separate outages from over 100 this morning! We started the day with 2,861 out and now there are 247 members without power.

Crews have cut their way through the trees with saws to get to power lines that are down. They are still out working on restoration by flashlights and headlamps. The wind is howling and crews will work as long as they can this evening, but some services will not be restored tonight. We also urge members to make preparations now in case more outages occur overnight.

We have identified 12 broken poles already, many of which must be accessed by track machines due to their location. Teams have repaired the large, 3-phase lines so we can work the smaller outages and reach every household. Each outage location can take hours to repair and will restore service to a handful of members at each stop.

Please, please use extreme caution if you venture out this evening as lines are still down across roadways. Crews have also encountered flooded roadways. We are so grateful to our members for their patience and encouragement for our teams working on restoration. It is not easy to be without power and we are committed to getting it on as soon as possible.

We are also grateful to the CVEC crews, mutual aid crews and contract crews for their tireless efforts in cold, wind, ice, rain, mud and sleet to get the power on for our members. And to their families who haven't seen them for days. If you see a lineman tonight, know that they have given it their very best from sunup to after sundown! They are cold, hungry, and exhausted but they won't stop until the power is ON!

Be safe CVEC. And thank you for allowing us to serve you - even when Mother Nature decides to dish out quite a sampling of winter weather all in one storm!

As of 3:45 pm, we have 80 outage locations affecting 797 members. We anticipate scattered power outages across our system throughout the day and into the evening as wind speeds continue to increase. Our crews are actively responding and addressing issues as they arise, making as many repairs as possible while we still have daylight. Safety remains our top priority, and we appreciate your patience as we work to restore power efficiently.

Never go near a downed power line or objects touching the lines. If you see a downed line, report it to your local authorities and notify us at 800-367-2832.

We appreciate your patience as CVEC linemen and mutual aid crews work to make repairs and get everyone back on. In the event you lose power, report your outage online at https://www.mycvec.com/outages-safety/report-an-outage/, via phone at 800-367-2832, or using the MyCVEC mobile app.

Stay safe out there today.

As of 12:20 pm, we have 115 outage locations affecting 1,570 members primarily in Appomattox, Buckingham, and Prince Edward counties. We expect scattered outages across the system today and into the evening as the wind increases. Restoration is in full swing and all CVEC crews have been dispatched and continue to make repairs and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

We’re grateful to have additional mutual aid crews from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (VA) and Community Electric Cooperative (VA) join forces with mutual aid from Berkeley Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SC), Aiken Electric Cooperative, INC (SC), Carroll Electric Membership Corp (GA), Coweta-Fayette EMC (GA), Planters Electric Membership Corporation (GA), and contract crews from Matthews Construction and Pross.

Never go near a downed power line or objects touching the lines. If you see a downed line, report it to your local authorities and notify us at 800-367-2832.

Stay safe out there today.

7:00am update

The southern part of our territory continues to see significant damage from overnight rain and freezing rain. While the precipitation is coming to an end, trees are continuing to fall under the heavy ice load resulting in power outages. As of 7am, we have 102 outage locations affecting 2,874 members. Many of these locations have broken poles and downed lines. Some locations were restored yesterday, but are experiencing new outages as trees continue to fall.

Blocked roads and saturated ground will slow restoration efforts today as crews will need to cut their way through downed trees to access some of these outage locations.

There’s a lot of work ahead and the conditions are challenging. However, we have a strong and dedicated team of CVEC crews, mutual aid crews, and contractors working to get power restored as quickly and safely as possible for our members.

We ask that you use extreme caution today as roadways may be fully or partially blocked by downed trees and/or power lines. Never attempt to remove trees or other objects that are touching power lines and stay at least 30 feet away from any downed lines. Keep children, pets, and livestock away from downed lines as well. Report downed line hazards to CVEC and your local authorities.

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February 12, 2025 Update: 6:00pm:

As of 6:00 PM, we have 45 device outages affecting 973 members in Appomattox, Buckingham and Cumberland. Crews have been restoring power since our first round of outages at 6:00am in the Curdsville area and haven't stopped since. Most of the outages have been in the same hard-to-reach areas and the sleet and freezing rain just won't let up, causing more trees to bend and/or snap. The damage to three-phase lines, poles and crossarms coupled with treacherous weather conditions makes for longer restoration times, but our crews stayed the course and we are most grateful to them!

CVEC crews, along with five mutual aid crews from Berkeley Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SC), Aiken Electric Cooperative (SC), Carroll Electric Membership Corp (GA), Coweta-Fayette EMC (GA), and Planters EMC (GA) will continue to make repairs and restore power into the evening as quickly and safely as possible. As the conditions deteriorate, the icy conditions will make it unsafe to continue widespread restoration efforts. As always, CVEC will have crews on call to respond to emergency situations overnight.

If you are without power, please take steps now to prepare in case restoration cannot be completed this evening. As temperatures drop, it’s important to prepare for potential power outages, especially at night. The weight of the ice adds strain to power lines and can cause trees outside the CVEC rights-of way to fall and cause additional disruptions.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to get everyone's back on. In the event you lose power, report your outage online at https://www.mycvec.com/outages-safety/report-an-outage/, via phone at 800-367-2832, or using the MyCVEC mobile app.

Please use caution if you must travel tonight and watch out for icy patches. Stay away from any downed lines or objects in contact with utility lines. Be safe!

Update 3:00pm:

We've seen outage numbers climb over the past hour with 23 outage locations now affecting 1,487 members. Crews are working to clear the lines and repair the damage, but the ice is continuing to impact the electric system. In the hardest hit areas, such as Curdsville, members are experiencing additional outages as new damage occurs. Some areas are inaccessible by buckets and we are having to bring in track machines to make repairs.

We have all hands on deck responding the current outages, as well as new ones that come in. Our contractors and mutual aid crews are continuing to assist with restoration efforts to get our members back on as quickly and safely as possible.

Update 2:00pm:

The added weight of the ice has caused trees outside of our rights-of-way to snap or fall, causing damage to the system and creating outages. Crews are currently working on 26 outage locations that are affecting 279 members. More photos from the field show just how much ice our crews are working with as they remove fallen trees and repair damaged lines.

It is still possible for more outages to occur this evening as we shift over to rain and temperatures hover around the freezing mark. We encourage our members to remain alert and watch out for slick spots if you must travel this evening.

Update: 10:35am:

There are currently 807 members without power. Most of the outages are located in the southeastern part of our territory where ice accumulation has brought down trees and pulled spans of wire down.

Crews are continuing to work on the outage in Curdsville where there is extensive damage, including trees on the line, downed wire, and a broken crossarm.

Our crews in the field sent in these photos from Pamplin that show a tree from outside of the right-of-way has fallen onto a three-phase line. You can see the ice accumulation on the wire, as well as the trees.

Close up of tree on a power line after ice storm

Please be safe if you have to go out today. The weight of the ice can bring down trees and power lines that block roadways and create hazards. Never go near a downed power line or objects touching the lines. If you see a downed line, report it to your local authorities and notify us at 800-367-2832.

We appreciate your patience as CVEC linemen and mutual aid crews work to make repairs and get everyone back on. Stay safe out there today.

Update 2/12/25 at 8:00am:

As of 8:10 AM, over 730 members are without power across Appomattox, Buckingham, Cumberland, and Prince Edward counties. Crews are working to make repairs and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Please use extreme caution if you must venture out. Keep your devices charged and continue to monitor the conditions in your area.

Never attempt to remove trees that have fallen into utility wires. Assume all wires attached to a utility pole or that have fallen onto the ground are energized.

In the event you lose power, report your outage online at https://www.mycvec.com/outages-safety/report-an-outage/, via phone at 800-367-2832, or using the MyCVEC mobile app.

Stay safe out there today!

Update 2/11/25: Heavy, wet snow is blanketing the CVEC territory, with ice expected to fall later in the day. These conditions can be devastating to an electric system and cause wide-spread, multi-day outages. We have mutual aid crews from Aiken Electric Cooperative (South Carolina), Berkeley Electric Cooperative (South Carolina), Carroll Electric Membership Corp (Georgia), Coweta-Fayette EMC (Georgia), and Planters EMC (Georgia) headed our way this morning in preparation for the potential of significant impacts to our system.

We have all hands on deck with our CVEC crews, contractors, mutual aid crews, field personnel, and office personnel and are ready to respond as outages occur. However, we encourage our members to be prepared for the possibility of prolonged power outages with difficult travel conditions. We are prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best. Check back here for updates throughout the storm.

Be safe and remember to stay away from any downed lines or objects in contact with power lines.

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) is closely monitoring this Winter Storm system and preparing for potential impacts beginning early Tuesday morning. Heavy, wet snow and ice can cause widespread power outages. Members are encouraged to take immediate action to prepare for cold temperatures, hazardous conditions, and potential power outages over the coming days. Follow these steps to make sure you are storm ready.