NOVEC customers: Put cell phone numbers on file to speed outage reporting and power restoration

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative officials say the utility is ready for the worst of Hurricane Sandy and power outages the storm may cause.

NOVEC urges customers to make sure NOVEC has their current phone number. The correct number will expedite outage reporting and power restoration. Customers who use cellphones and have not registered their numbers should call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 to associate their numbers with their accounts.

“If a customer loses power, he or she should call one of these numbers to report it,” instructs Larry Shaffer, vice president, System Operations. “Co-op members may not get a customer service representative, but our IVR [interactive voice response] system sends a message to us immediately that your power is off.  IVR will also provide updates.”

Customers with access to the Internet can report outages at http://www.novec.com on computers and http://www.novec.com/mobile on smartphones. They can also use NOVEC’s new smartphone application, available at http://www.novec.com/contact_us/apps.cfm .

“Customers can follow what’s happening on Facebook and Twitter,” Shaffer notes, “but they must not report outages via social media. Social media sites aren’t connected to our reporting system. Call us or go online instead.”

What to do if Power Goes Out

• Call NOVEC at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500, or report the outage online at http://www.novec.com if you have access. The Outage Center will provide updates.

• Open freezers and refrigerators only when necessary.

• Use portable generators, camp stoves, or grills outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Alternatively, heat food in a chafing dish or fondue pot over canned fuel.

WARNING! - If you see downed power lines and poles, STAY AWAY! Water on the ground – even damp pavement—and debris near power lines could be energized and deadly. Notify NOVEC immediately.

“Contract line and tree crews arrived on Sunday to assist NOVEC’s crews with power outages” said Mason “Skip” Hollcroft, manager of NOVEC’s line technicians and tree crews. “We called in extra crews from Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina. This morning, we deployed crews to sites throughout our service territory to accelerate power restoration. We’re ready.”

Hollcroft emphasizes that safety is always the primary concern for customers and crews. “We can’t send men up in bucket trucks if the winds are strong. It’s just too dangerous. We ask for everyone who loses power to be patient. We’ll get the lights back on as soon as it’s safe.”

NOVEC, headquartered in Manassas, Va., distributes electricity and energy services to almost 150,000 customers in Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, and Clarke counties, and the City of Manassas Park. It is one of the largest electric distribution cooperatives in the nation. For more information, visit http://www.novec.com or call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500.