In light of Hurricane Helene's damage in southern Virginia and North Carolina, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) sent crews to restore power. The category 4 hurricane hit the southeastern region of the United States in late September and was the deadliest to strike the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Parts of North Carolina had access cut off due to flash floods and landslides. These two teams — one made of five men and the other of four — helped local cooperatives restore power to the more than 1.4 million coop households in these impacted areas. The team of five (pictured above) was first sent on Sept. 27 to southwestern Virginia, then, on Oct. 3, the crew was deployed to Lenoir, N.C. to assist Blue Ridge Energy. The four-man crew began in New Castle, Va., on Oct. 1, before being sent to assist Blue Ridge Energy to join the other crew on Oct. 2. Blue Ridge Energy, according to a NOVEC press release, had 6,800 miles of its 8,500 miles of lines damaged in Hurricane Helene.

“We do know there are parts of our system that will take weeks to repair or rebuild. In many cases, there is no road — not even dirt — where there once was one and our poles are down mountainsides or in the river in some cases,” Renee Walker, director of public relations at Blue Ridge, said.

The cost of Hurricane Helene's damage is in the billions, according to several reports and analyses. The death toll is above 200 people as well.

Crews from the Northern Virginia Electrical Cooperative (NOVEC), along with contractors and support from other electric cooperatives, continue to restore power after a severe storm that hit Northern Virginia on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The storm caused significant damage, particularly in Stafford County and southern Fauquier County, leading to widespread outages and extensive repairs.

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A powerful line of thunderstorms swept through Northern Virginia on August 3, 2024, causing significant power outages across Prince William and Stafford counties. The severe weather left many residents in the dark as utility companies scrambled to restore service.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) Outages

NOVEC reported the highest number of outages in the region, with Prince William County experiencing three major incidents affecting a total of 60 customers. The specific outages are as follows:

Applewood Ln, Chicory Ln, Coffee Pot Hill, Creedmore South Dr, Creedmore West Ct, Double Poplars Ln, Dumfries Rd, Ecoganic Farm Ln, Kelly Meadows Ln, Kines Rd, Magnolia Ln, Marshall Gardens Ct, Old Auburn Rd, Old Dumfries Rd, Pembridge Ln, Rogues Rd, RR 602 & 670, RR 670 & 692, Shulls Ln, Squires Ln, Taylor Rd, Twin Poplar Ln-

Customers Affected:  1

Bobcat Ct, Minnieville Rd
Customers Affected: 33

Hensley Rd, Smithfield Rd
– Customers Affected: 26

Stafford County faced two significant outages affecting a total of 229 customers:

Aquia Rd, Beaver Dam Rd, Beaver Farm Ln, Blackwells Mill Rd, Bowling Farm Ln, Briarwood Ln, Bristersburg Rd, Castlebar Dr, Chimney Lake Ln, Courtney School Rd, Cropp Rd, Deep Run Rd, Delmar Ln, Elk Ridge Rd, Elk Run Church Rd, Enduro Run Rd, Ensors Shop Rd, Geraldine Ct, Gobbler Run Ln, Greentree Ln, Halstead Dr, Hawks Ln, Ireland Dr, Ireland Dr, Izzy Ln, Kenner Ln, Kingdom Dr, Layline Ln, Midland Rd, Poplar Rd, RR 1 Box, RR 617, Seth Dr, Shepherd Hill Ln, Skyline Dr, Soaring Eagle Rd, Spotted Tavern Rd, Stil Water Ln, Still Water Ln, Stillwater Ln, Towles Rd, Whispering Oaks Ln

Customers Affected: 216

Dunbar Dr, Misty Ln
– Customers Affected: 13

Dominion Energy Outages

Dominion Energy reported 132 customers without power in Stafford County. The affected areas are working towards restoration as crews address the damage caused by the storms.

Both NOVEC and Dominion Energy are actively working to restore power to the affected areas. Crews are on-site assessing damage and performing necessary repairs. The cause of the outages remains under investigation, and both utility companies have provided estimated restoration times for affected customers.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative: "Applications are being accepted through Feb. 16 for the 2024 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, an annual all-expenses-paid, week-long event in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)."

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Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative: “Each year, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) awards up to 15 $1,500 college scholarships to area high school students.”

“Seniors who reside in one of the five counties where NOVEC provides electric service — Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, as well as in the City of Manassas Park – are eligible. Applications are welcome from students who attend public, private or home school.”

“One scholarship is specifically dedicated to a student who will be attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), and another is dedicated to a student who is planning to attend a vocational or trade school.  The most outstanding applicant will be selected to receive an additional honor, NOVEC’s $1,500 Manley Garber Scholarship (named for the late Co-op board chairman).”

“Students do not need to fill out a separate application for the Garber Scholarship. Applications for the NOVEC scholarships are available at College Scholarships. The application deadline is March 1, 2024.”

“VMDAEC Scholarships: The Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives Scholarship Foundation will award $1,000 scholarships to seniors whose parents or guardians are members of NOVEC or one of 14 other electric cooperatives in Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland.”

“Recipients will be selected based on financial need, academic achievement, and personal statements. Applicants must be entering college or a technical/trade school in fall 2023. Find the application and guidelines at vmdaec.com/scholarship. Applications will be available Feb. 1, 2024 and must be submitted by April 1, 2024. For more information, email [email protected].”

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative: "Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) will accept post-holiday cut Christmas trees and greens at its Gainesville Technical Center at 5399 Wellington Branch Road, near Interstate 66 and U.S. 29."

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Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative: "Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) is teaming up with others in the energy industry to attract more women, particularly those who may be interested in field work."

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Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative: "NOVEC judges had their work cut out for them when it came to selecting just three winners in NOVEC’s summer children’s art contest."

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Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative: “Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) awarded $1,500 scholarships to 14 area high school seniors in May. An independent panel of judges evaluated applicants on their academic records, community involvement, work experience, demonstrated leadership, recommendations, and essays.”

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