Jan. 11—BLUEFIELD — Residents still coping without power and heat were preparing Friday for a new winter storm as power line crews worked to get electricity back to thousands of people who lost it days ago.
Cold load pickup was challenging Appalachian Power crews as they worked to restore power, according to Debra L. Pannell, senior communications consultant for the power company. One way residents can help is making sure their appliances and other devices are turned off before the power comes back on.
When power is restored, electricity rushes to appliances left on, creating a demand surge called “cold load,” Pannell said. Utilities need to manage this to avoid system overloads and more outages.
Appalachian Power’s Storm Response Team is asking customers still without power to turn off large appliances like water heaters and lower their homes’ thermostats a few degrees for at least one hour after the power comes back on, she said. This proactive approach helps the grid manage electricity distribution, which can reduce the risk of further outages.
The estimated time of restoration is when Appalachian Power expects to have 90% or more of customers restored. Slower power restoration progress due to the frigid temperatures extended the estimated restoration time for the hardest-hit areas to 11 p.m. Friday, Pannell said.
Last Monday, Winter Storm Blair left 100,505 customers across the company’s Virginia and West Virginia service areas without electric service, Pannell said. As of Friday, around 3,000 customers were still without power, with 2,200 still out in the hardest hit areas of Bluefield, W.Va. and Bluefield, Va.
People were lined up Friday morning outside the Bluefield Farm Bureau Store in Bluefield, Va. to stock up on propane before the new storm arrived.
Manager Larry Hagerman said that he knows propane is the only source of heat for many people. They need it for cooking as well as heat.
The Farm Bureau began filling propane tanks last Thursday and lines began to form nonstop.
Employee Austin Kincaid said he is proud to serve the community.
“It does create a sense of accomplishment for the community you know,” he said.
Bluefield area residents Donald Merriwather and Shawn Moore were among the people lined up to fill their propane tanks.
“Keep my basement warm because if I keep my basement warm, the house will stay warm,” Merriwather said.
“Just preparing for the winter storm, preparing to make sure we have enough heat,” Moore said.
Forecasters predicted that much of the Appalachian Power service territory would see snow showers. Appalachian Power’s Storm Response Team was closely monitoring the situation, Pannell said. Company crews, contractors and mutual aid crews were ready to respond if additional power outages occur.
Both the National Weather Service offices in Blacksburg, Va. and Charleston issued winter storm warnings covering much of southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia.
This warning, which continues untiltoday, predicted 5 to 7 inches of snow that could make travel difficult.
Further to the north, the weather service’s Charleston office had a winter storm warning for parts of Raleigh County and Fayette County as well as Nicholas County. This warning also continues until 7 p.m. today. Between 4 to 7 inches of snow are expected. Residents in those areas were also warned to expect slippery road conditions.
The public can get updates on road conditions in both states by dialing 511.
Law enforcement agencies were urging motorists to drive according to conditions if they have to travel during the storm. The Mercer County Sheriff’s Department urged residents to avoid traveling if possible and to slow down if they must drive during the storm.
“Countless 911 calls of crashes during the past weather event put a strain on all first responder and dispatch systems,” according to a sheriff’s department post. “You can help by slowing down if you have to be on the road, or simply not traveling until roadway conditions improve if it can be avoided.”
The Virginia State Police will have increased numbers of troopers and supervisors working in advance of and during the duration of the storm as it makes its way into the Commonwealth, said Matthew Demlein, public relations coordinator for the state police.
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com