Electric News Releases - 1999

September 15, 1999

Virginia Power Braces For Hurricane Floyd

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Power is committing a team of more than 5,000 employees to its hurricane preparation plan and is as ready as possible for the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Floyd.

"Our line crews arrived for work today with suitcases packed for a five-day stay away from home, and they are ready to go where needed to repair storm damage," said Tom Hyman, vice president and general manager-Distribution. "We also have taken steps to batten down the hatches at our power stations and other facilities.

"This is a powerful and dangerous storm," Hyman said. "We are asking all of our customers to take steps to secure their homes and to prepare for the possibility of extended power outages."

The company is prepared to move more than 3,000 employees into the field – groundmen, linemen and support staff -- to work on repairs and has committed a total team of more than 5,000 employees – including additional Customer Service Center representatives -- to the overall effort. In addition, it has secured assistance from contractors to provide 150 additional linemen and 450 tree trimmers.

"We have replenished and increased our stores of storm materials that were used during Hurricane Dennis," Hyman said. "This is not an event any of us look forward to, but we are ready."

Current projections show the storm coming ashore near Wilmington, N.C., and cutting an arc across southeastern Virginia before moving back out to sea.

At its power stations and other facilities, the company has been securing equipment and other materials that could be picked up by winds that are anticipated to gust up to 65 mph. For example, at Chesterfield Power Station, the company has dismantled a crane that was being used on a construction project.

Workers at the company's two nuclear power stations, Surry and North Anna, have performed extensive reviews of each the site to make sure that loose material that could be thrown around by high winds has been either removed or secured. Also, workers have ensured that emergency power supplies are ready, if needed. The Surry and North Anna power stations are designed to withstand hurricanes and would only be shut down as a precaution if winds of greater than 73 mph were projected at the site within a 24-hour period.

The most important thing for all customers to remember is that they should never go near a downed power line. "All power lines should be considered live and dangerous," Hyman said.

Report all downed lines and outages by calling 1-888-667-3000.

Individuals with health problems or who are dependent on home medical equipment should make arrangements in advance for shelter away from their residence. Customers should also heed the following tips:

• Have a good supply of fresh batteries for flashlights, clocks and radios.
• Have several gallons of freshwater on hand. This is especially important for those who rely on well water.
• Have a good supply of canned and other non-refrigerated foods available.
• Make sure prescription medications are filled
• If the power goes out, turn off major appliances such as heat pumps, water heaters and stoves. Unplug other equipment such as TV's, stereos, microwaves, and computers. This will prevent damage to the appliance and possible overloads to the company's system when power is restored.
• Disconnect cable lines from TVs and stereos and phone lines from computers. This will prevent lightning damage to these expensive items.
• Leave one lamp or light on so you can tell when power is restored.
• Open refrigerators and freezers as little as possible to keep contents cold.
• If using portable or camp-type stoves or lanterns for cooking and lighting, make sure the area is adequately ventilated.
• Do not hook portable generators directly to the electrical system of your home. Electricity could backfeed into power lines endangering repair crews. Either have a qualified electrician perform that work or plug directly into the generator with the proper-sized extension chords.

Virginia Power is the principal subsidiary of Dominion Resources Inc. (NYSE: D), an energy company with headquarters in Richmond.

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