RICHMOND, Va. -- Around 8,000 Dominion Virginia customers were reported without power at 7 a.m. Friday, according to the power company's outage report website. A majority of the outages were reported in Chesterfield and Hanover counties.
However, by 12:30 p.m., the number of outages had dipped below 2,000 across the Richmond-Metro area. At its heights, some 15,000 customers were without power during and after Thursday's night lightning storm.
"Power outages can be triggered by many conditions or circumstances. Weather is the leading cause, " Dominion posted online. "Lightning often strikes transmission line towers, utility poles, wires, transformers and other electrical equipment, causing severe damage and loss of power. Trees struck by lightning may also fall on lines, causing an outage."
Dominion customers who lost power should report their outage by calling 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357).
"Restoration work is performed around the clock, so long as conditions are safe to do so. Field crews work up to 16 hours a day following major events, mostly during daylight hours to maximize their efficiency," Dominion posted online. "At night, a smaller number of workers are in the field, handling public safety issues and continuing restoration work. We also have workers analyzing damage reports, organizing the next day’s work and replenishing supplies."
