Prepare for an Outage

During an Outage

• Before calling the co-op during a power outage, check to see if others in your area have lost power. This information will help us determine the cause of the outage. If others have lights and you don't, check your home's panel box. A blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker could be at fault.
• If you've determined that the source of the interruption is outside your home, report your outage at once. Outages can be reported:
  • by phone at 804-834-2424 

Have the following information ready before making the call:

• name in which the account is listed
• your name and phone number
• account number
• the time of the outage
• any flashes or unusual noises that may help us identify the source of the problem

During an Extended Outage

• Turn off large electric appliances and equipment so that lines are not overloaded when power is restored.
• Keep the door to your refrigerator or freezer closed. If your door seals are tight, your food will normally be safe for several hours without power.
• Use caution and be sure to have adequate ventilation when operating generators, lanterns, heaters and fuel-fired cook stoves.
• If you use a generator, have it installed by a certified electrician. Improperly installed generators may feed energy back into the distribution lines, endangering our linemen and others. 
• Always refuel appliances outside.
• Do not leave fireplaces and burning candles unattended at night.
• Restock your emergency supply kit.

Planned Outage

As part of ongoing system improvement work, it is necessary on occasions to de-energize a line section. This often occurs when PGEC is upgrading the electric system or when safety considerations during repair work require it. PGEC will notify members in advance when possible, unless emergency repairs arise and prevent notification.

Hurricane Safety: What You Need to Know

There is no substitute for being prepared. The employees at PGEC make sure they are prepared for storms before they happen. PGEC wants you to be prepared as well.

June 1 marks the official start of hurricane season, with the peak storm threat occurring from mid-August to late October. Summer also brings with it severe thunderstorms that can wreak havoc.

FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO STAY SAFE IN THE EVENT THAT STORMS OCCUR:

• Avoid wires and water – When lightning strikes a home during a storm, the electrical charge can surge through pipes and utility wires. That means you can be injured if you’re touching water or any device that’s plugged in, whether it’s a landline phone or toaster.
• Skip the makeshift shelter – During a storm, it's tempting to take cover under a picnic gazebo or golf cart, but in open-sided structures, a lightning bolt's path of least resistance to the ground could be you. On top of that, these structures raise your risk of a lightning strike because of their height. Keep moving toward a suitable shelter.
• Portable generators – Take special care with portable generators, which can provide a good source of power, but if improperly installed or operated can become deadly. Do not connect generators directly to household wiring. Power from generators can back-feed along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including line workers making repairs. It is best to hire a qualified, licensed electrician to install your generator and ensure that it is installed properly. Be sure to only operate a generator outside, away from windows and doors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. 
• Flooded areas – Stay away from downed power lines and avoid walking through flooded areas. Power lines could be submerged and still energized with electricity. Report any downed lines you see to PGEC by calling 804-834-2424.
• Electrical equipment – Never use electrical equipment that is wet — especially outdoors. It could be a potential danger after a summer storm. Water can cause damage to equipment and parts, posing a shock or fire hazard. Before storms happen, assemble an emergency storm preparedness kit to ensure you have the necessities in the event of extended power outages. We will do our best to avoid power outages, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. Be sure to check our website, as well as Facebook and Twitter on your smartphone for the latest updates during a power outage.

Hurricane & Storm Safety & Preparation

Hurricane Preparation - COVID-19

Hurricane Preparation - Checklist

Current Forecast Information

Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lightning Safety

One of Mother Nature's most frequent weather hazards is lightning. Baseball, football, lacrosse, skiing, swimming, soccer, tennis, track and field events - all of these and other outdoor sports have been visited by lightning.

The National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI) says education is the single most important means to achieve lightning safety. A lightning safety program should be implemented at every facility and the NLSI suggests the following steps:

• If you hear thunder, seek shelter immediately.
• A responsible person should be designated to monitor weather conditions. Local weather forecasts - from The Weather Channel, NOAA Weather Radio, or local TV stations - should be observed 24 hours prior to athletic events. An inexpensive portable weather radio is recommended for obtaining timely storm data.
• A plan for the suspension and resumption of athletic activities should be in place before games begin.
• The availability of SAFE shelters is essential. SAFE evacuation sites include: fully enclosed metal vehicles with windows up, substantial buildings and areas of low ground. UNSAFE shelter areas include open pavilions and all outdoor metal objects like flag poles, fences and gates, light poles, metal bleachers, golf carts, machinery, etc.
• Also avoid trees, water, open fields and areas of high ground.

Lightning's distance from you is easy to calculate: if you hear thunder, the associated lightning is within striking distance. The rule of thumb: when thunder roars, go indoors. Another good lightning safety motto is: "If you can see it (lightning) flee it; if you can hear it (thunder), clear it."

If you feel your hair standing on end, and/or hear "crackling noises," you are in lightning's electric field. Immediately drop to a crouching position. Remove metal objects (including baseball cap) and with feet together, duck your head, and crouch down low in baseball catcher's stance with your hands on your knees.

Wait a minimum of 30 minutes from the last observed lightning or thunder before resuming activities.
If someone is struck by lightning, administer first aid immediately if you are qualified to do so and get emergency help promptly. People who have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to approach.

Remember, "If you can see it, flee it; if you can hear it, clear it," and have a safe summer!

Additional Resources

The site, www.ready.gov, is a joint project of The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is a campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and to encourage basic preparedness across the nation.

Included on the site is Ready Kids, a tool to help parents and teachers educate children (grades 1 through 12) about emergencies and how they can help get their families prepared. The program includes family-friendly web pages and online materials developed by Sesame Workshop and Discovery Education. Discover lots of information about being prepared, planning ahead, and staying informed. Check it out!