Greater Lynchburg Awakes to Winter Storm Blair's Aftermath

Read More to Find Out When Your Power is Estimated to be Restored

Greater Lynchburg awoke Monday morning to the icy grip of Winter Storm Blair. While a day off school and potentially work brought smiles to some, suggesting a feeling reminiscent of Christmas morning, the mood shifted dramatically by 9:14 AM...

which is when Appalachian Power reported that several thousand homes power went down. The freezing rain, ice, and snow that Blair delivered caused widespread damage and power outages across the region. As of 7 PM Monday, Appalachian Power (AEP) reported 14,248 Greater Lynchburg households still without power, with the breakdown as follows:

• Amherst: 2,526
• Bedford: 5,731
• Campbell: 3,258
• Lynchburg: 2,532
• Nelson: 201

Understanding the Numbers

It’s worth noting that Bedford and Campbell counties also have customers served by providers like Southside Electric Cooperative and Dominion Energy, whose outage reports are available on platforms like PowerOutage.us. Also depending upon the data point provided, Lynchburg may be including parts of Bedford, Campbell, and Amherst County.

When Will Power Be Restored?

For many, Blair’s unwelcome presence turned earlier smiles into frowns as power restoration timelines stretched out.

According to Appalachian Power, full restoration in Greater Lynchburg is estimated by 6 PM Thursday. Here are AEP’s approximate outage counts and estimated restoration times (ETRs) for affected areas:

Why Does Restoration Take So Long?

5,500 workers including those AEP has brought in from sister companies in Ohio and Indiana are dedicated to power restoration. Even with the increased workforce, there is an estimated 81 hours from the time the power went out in Greater Lynchburg until it will be restored. Our community is not alone as Blair caused 100,500 AEP customers throughout Virginia and West Virginia to be without electricity. Also, AEP Power restoration follows a priority system:

1. Essential Public Safety Facilities: Hospitals, 911 call centers, water treatment plants, and fire/police stations are restored first.
2. Large Pockets of Customers: Repairs affecting hundreds or thousands of customers are prioritized over smaller groups.
3. Individual Homes: Restoration for individual homes or small groups happens last, as these repairs are the most time-consuming.

Staying Warm During Power Outages

When power is lost during winter, maintaining warmth becomes critical.

Here are some tips to stay safe and warm:

Conserve Heat

• Roll up towels and place them at the base of exterior doors to block drafts.
• Close curtains to reduce heat loss unless south-facing windows are receiving sunlight.
• Gather your family in one room, close interior doors, and use blankets, sleeping bags, and extra layers.

Use a Fireplace

• Most Gas fireplaces work even during power outages.
• Wood-burning fireplaces can provide warmth, but conserve wood by using them intermittently.

Consider Leaving Temporarily

If it’s safe to drive, consider staying at a hotel. Before leaving:

• Unplug electronics to avoid potential surges.
• Shut off the main water valve and drain faucets to prevent frozen pipes.

Final Thoughts

Winter Storm Blair has been challenging for many in Greater Lynchburg, but by following these tips, you can stay warm and safe until power is fully restored. Hang in there—although brighter (and warmer) days are not exactly in the forecast, hopefully our restored power will keep us warm!