Warsaw, VA – Northern Neck Electric Cooperative encourages members to remain alert this afternoon as a strong line of storms pushes east into its service area. The ground is already saturated, and high winds — potentially up to 75 mph — may cause trees and limbs to fall. Power outages are likely but impossible to predict.

Stay away from power lines on the ground or any tree, limb or other object in contact with a power line. Call 911 to report it and help keep others away. Always assume a power line is live and could potentially cause fatal injury.  

NNEC crews and staff are prepared to respond to any service interruptions as quickly and safely as possible. While outages are nearly impossible to predict, members are encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of extended power outages. NNEC recommends assembling/updating an emergency kit that includes but is not limited to:

  • flashlights
  • battery-operated radio
  • candles and matches
  • extra supply of batteries
  • basic first-aid supplies, prescriptions
  • sanitizer and personal hygiene items
  • small supply of drinking water and food — include a manual can-opener
  • baby supplies — formula, diapers, etc. — if an infant is in the home

Fully charge cellphones and portable charging devices and keep contact information for family members and any elderly neighbors nearby. 

If a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter in a safe room, basement, storm cellar or a center room at the lowest level of the home or building.

Crews will respond to any power outages once conditions are safe enough to do so.

NNEC urges members with portable generators to make sure they are safely and properly connected. Operate them outdoors in an area with plenty of ventilation. Never run a generator in a home or garage. Prevent backfeeding power to the line by not plugging a generator into the wall. Use heavy-duty extension cords to connect appliances directly to the outlets on the generator. Read more about generator safety at nnec.coop/outages-safety/safety/generator-safety.

Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is a member-owned cooperative serving more than 20,000 homes and businesses in Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, King George and Stafford counties. Visit nnec.coop for more information.