CONTINUING STORM COVERAGE 

UPDATE 4 p.m.

About 90 percent of Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative have their power back on.

Following Friday night’s powerful storm with winds that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses – about 2 million people – the utility says most will have power back on by Independence Day.

The announced could be good news for many customers in NOVEC’s service districts in Prince William and Stafford counties who have family in town for the Wednesday holiday.

BY THE NUMBERS – 4 p.m. Monday

Prince William

Dominion customers still without power: 4,962

NOVEC customer still without power: 280

Stafford

Dominion customers still without power: 7,673

NOVEC customer still without power: 2

 

STAFFORD, Va. — It could be Saturday before all affected Dominion Virginia Power customers get their power back on.

The utility said it was bringing in help from help from states like Wisconsin, Texas, and Florida, and from as far away as Canada to help in the restoration efforts. A Dominion spokesman said 80 to 85 percent of customers should be restored by Tuesday night, with 90 to 95 percent of customers getting their juice back by Thursday.

“Unlike a hurricane, this storm could not be forecasted well ahead of time by the National Weather Service,” said Dominion Vice president-Electric Distribution Operations Rodney Blevins. “That is complicating restoration efforts because crews and supplies could not be positioned in advance.”

BY THE NUMBERS

Prince William

Dominion customers still without power: 5,297

NOVEC customer still without power: 438

Stafford

Dominion customers still without power: 7,177

NOVEC customer still without power: 58

In Stafford, county officials Sunday night last night closed an emergency shelter at Rodney Thompson Middle School.

 

With conditions still ripe for wildfires, Stafford authorities banned outside burning and Prince William officials remind residents to wait until after 4 p.m. to burn.

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag warning for the region today, as they have since the weekend, warning that the combination of high winds, low humidity and dry conditions produce an atmosphere where wildfires flourish.

In Stafford, an outside burning ban remains in effect until 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to a statement from the county’s fire marshal. Officials in Prince William remind residents to adhere to the state’s burning law that restricts outside burning between 4 p.m. and midnight.

“Most outside burn permits are limited to commercial or agriculture operations and as part of the process a comprehensive review of the operation are conducted before a permit will be approved and issued,” said Prince William fire and rescue spokeswoman Kim Hylander.

Residents in Prince William are urged to call 703-792-6360 for more information on obtaining burn permits.

It’s recommended that residents make sure that grills, recreational or campfires are supervised during use and that they are completely extinguished, said Hylander. With the forecasted gusty winds today, Hylander also said residents should secure all outdoor furniture, trash receptacles, cooking grills, and other freestanding items that may become air born causing injury and damage if not properly secured.

Ft. Belvoir, Va. — For once, it will be another military installation near the Potomac Communities making noise on Tuesday.

Cannons will fire at Ft. Belvoir between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as the 3rd U.S. Infantry, or the “Old Guard,” will be training on the Army post with their ceremonial cannon.

The cannon will fire to the south to minimize sound intrusion to area neighbors, according to Fairfax County Mt. Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland.

Quantico Marine Corps Base often carries out munitions training at the military base. Last month, a controlled bomb exploded on base shaking the homes and nerves of nearby residents.

As the mercury continues its climb toward the century mark,  officials are warning residents to do everything they can to keep cool.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch from noon today until 8 p.m. Thursday. With temperatures forecast to reach the mid to upper 90s Wednesday afternoon, heat index values (what it feels like outside when the humidity is factored in with the heat) are expected between 100 and 110 degrees.

The hot weather will remain in place for the remainder of the week, with temperatures hovering in the mid 90s to 100 degrees, according to the weather service.

Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department spokesman Mark Doyle issued tips to help you beat the heat:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

More to the Story: Check out PotomacLocal.com’s Pool Guide 2011 to find a place near you to cool off.

Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:

• Infants and young children
• People aged 65 or older
• People who have a mental illness
• Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure

Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

If you must be out in the heat:

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

• Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Avoiding dehydration is essential signs of dehydration may include: Thirst, Dry or sticky mouth, Headache, Muscle cramping, Irritability, Extreme fatigue, Weakness, Dizziness, and Decreased performance. Remember the warning in the first “tip” (above), too.

• Try to rest often in shady areas.

• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15.

 

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Call it another summer scorcher, as a heat advisory will go into effect from noon until 8 p.m.

Temperatures will hover in the middle 90s but heat index values (what it feels like when you factor in the heat and humidity) will be between 100 and 105, according to the National Weather Service.

This is the second of two very hot days in the Potomac Communities, and the last one we’ll have to deal with this week, according to the forecast.

In order to get through today’s hot weather, officials urge everyone to reduce strenuous outdoor activities until the early morning or late evening, wear light weight and loose fitting clothes and drink lots of water. Finding a cool, air conditioned place to spend the day in is also suggested.

On Wednesday, temperatures will fall into the upper 80s and into the low 80s on Thursday, according to the weather service.

An overcast afternoon could lead to some summer storms this Independence Day.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Stafford County and points south until 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

At 5 p.m., doppler radar indicated a large area of rain moving from west to east that could affect the Potomac Communities before many of the fireworks shows in the region are set to begin at 9 pm.

For the latest weather updates from PotomacLocal.com, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Powerful storms rolled through the Washington area Sunday night killing one and leaving hundreds in the Potomac Communities without power.

The unidentified storm victim was riding his bicycle along the C&O Canal in Montgomery County, Md. and was struck by a tree, reports the Washington Post.

Closer to home, about 600 Dominion Virginia customers in the Brooke and Widewater areas of Stafford County had their power knocked out. About 300 Dominion customers in the Dumfries area lost their power.

There were 498 NOVEC customers in Prince William County with power out about 10:30 p.m. and four customers in Stafford with their power out, according to the utility’s website.

The storms contained heavy downpours and lightening, and came after flirted with the low 90s across the region. The high temperature at Quantico measured 88 degrees at 6 p.m. Sunday.

The weather service has issued an air quality alert for Independence Day, as temperatures are expected to rise into the 90s. The air is expected to become unhealthy for children, older adults and those who suffer from asthma.

Those who may be sensitive to poor air quality conditions are urged to stay indoors tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service.

Woodbridge, Va. –– Traffic headed south on Interstate 95 in Virginia has been backed up since 11:30 a.m.

A crash just south of Lorton snarled traffic between from the Occoquan River all the way to the Capital Beltway, and there are no signs traffic is easing as many commuters are making a break for the long holiday weekend.

The delays along the highway were so bad about 2 p.m. some drivers chose to drive off the highway, into a median and access the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes near Potomac Mills mall.

Anticipating afternoon crowding, Virginia Railway Express will add additional cars to Fredericksburg line train #303 leaving Washington’s Union Station at 3:35 p.m., and will also add more cars to Manassas line train #327 departing Union Station at 4:25 p.m.

The commuter railroad reminded riders Friday there will be no service Monday in observance of Independence Day.