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Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative urges preparation for potential heavy rain event

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svecWith measurable rain in the forecast for parts of Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative’s eight-county service area in the days ahead, SVEC has pulled together key staff members responsible for working these types of situations and has implemented a plan of action to coordinate our response to the severe weather.

SVEC will have extra support staff on standby, ready to respond, should the situation require additional help. SVEC continues to monitor the progression of the storm and is in regular contact with the National Weather Service.

SVEC would like to remind our member-owners that now is the time to prepare for possible inclement weather. The potential for more rain and other severe weather presents the chance for power outages. “Blinking” of lights may also occur, and this is a normal condition during an event such as this.

When tree limbs break and fall on power lines, outages are possible. SVEC makes every effort to have power restored to members as quickly and safely as possible, and would like to offer these tips in case of an outage:

Do not make any attempts to clear trees or other debris from power lines. Note the location, and any other important information regarding these situations, and contact SVEC. Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative will work to ensure that power is restored as soon as possible. Avoid contact with downed power lines.

In the event that you lose power and you are an SVEC member, call SVEC at 1-800-234-7832, even if you think your neighbor may have called. It is more effective for SVEC to know where all outages are.

It is a good idea to make sure that your cell phone, if you have one, is completely charged, in the event of an outage.

 

To make sure you and your family have the necessities for an outage, SVEC advises that you prepare a home outage kit. Good items to include are:

  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • A battery operated radio
  • Candles or lanterns and matches
  • Canned or packaged foods, powered milk and beverages, dry cereal
  • Water (one gallon per person per day for drinking; fill bathtub and other containers for flushing toilets and other needs)
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Disposable plates and utensils
  • Camp stove or other emergency cooking device
  • Extra blankets or sleeping bags
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • If needed, extra baby food, formula, diapers

Chartered in 1936, SVEC serves approximately 92,000 meters in the counties of Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren and the city of Winchester in Virginia. Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative was the first electric cooperative chartered in Virginia. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. SVEC supports our armed services and veterans in employment opportunities.

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