Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Preparing for Sandy

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) crews are preparing for possible service interruptions, due to high winds and heavy rain forecast for the weekend and into early next week, REC said in a press release. 

REC has field personnel standing by to make sure service is restored as quickly and safely as possible. With field forces already in place, other REC employees are transitioning from their normal work roles into storm assignments when needed in preparation for new outages, should they occur, according to the release.

REC advises members to make preparations.  A list of suggestions is available on the “Outage Center” section of the REC website.  Information regarding any outages will be updated on both the website and the REC Facebook page.

Any member who is dependent on electricity-powered medical equipment should take steps now to seek alternative shelter or a source of backup power, as appropriate, said REC.

To report an outage, people with smart phones should go to the REC website at myrec.coop, log into 'Web Self-Service' and go to the 'My Outage' page.

For those who prefer to report an outage by phone they may call as follows:

• In Fredericksburg, call 540-898-8500;
• In the Blue Ridge area, call 540-622-2001;
• In the Bowling Green area, call 804-633-5011;
• In Culpeper, call 540-825-8373; 
• or call toll-free: 1-800-552-3904.

"Please keep in mind during major outages phone volume increases dramatically," said REC in their release. "Please take advantage of using a smart phone and report outages online."

Downed power lines are also extremely dangerous. If you see one, stay away, and call law enforcement or REC immediately at 1-800-552-3904.

If you’re using portable generators, don’t connect them to home wiring system or outlets. It could cause high voltage feedback on power lines that could severely injure workers trying to restore power. Plug lights or other needed appliances directly into the portable generator itself.

REC provides electric service to over 155,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., Rappahannock maintains more than 16,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay

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