The Complete Survival Guide for Dominion Power Outages: Prepare, Endure, and Recover
When your lights suddenly go out during a storm, the frustration and uncertainty can quickly turn to worry. Dominion power outages leave homes dark, food spoiling in refrigerators, and essential devices powerless – often with little warning. Most Virginia and North Carolina residents face this disruption several times a year, sometimes lasting from hours to several days. This guide covers everything you need before, during, and after an outage: from building an emergency kit and finding backup power options to keeping your family safe and knowing exactly what to do when the lights go out.
Why Do Dominion Power Outages Happen?
Power outages across Dominion Energy's service area occur for specific, identifiable reasons that follow predictable patterns. Understanding these patterns helps customers better prepare for and respond to service interruptions. Dominion Energy maintains detailed records of outage causes, durations, and restoration processes that can help you anticipate potential problems and know what to expect when your power goes out.
Common Reasons Your Power Goes Out
Dominion Energy tracks several primary causes of power interruptions throughout their service territory:
Severe weather is responsible for 70% of all Dominion outages, with thunderstorms, ice storms, and hurricanes being the most common weather-related causes.
Equipment failure accounts for approximately 15% of power interruptions, often resulting from aging infrastructure or component breakdown in the electrical system.
Planned maintenance necessitates occasional scheduled outages (about 5% of all cases) to safely upgrade or repair equipment on the power grid.
Vehicle accidents striking utility poles cause approximately 8% of power outages across the service area.
Wildlife interference, particularly from squirrels and birds contacting power lines, completes the list of common causes for service interruptions.
When Outages Happen Most Often in Your Area
Power outages follow seasonal patterns that vary by geographic location within Dominion's service territory:
Virginia experiences most power disruptions during summer thunderstorm season (June-August) and winter ice events (January-February).
North Carolina coastal regions face the highest outage risk during hurricane season, which typically runs from August through October.
Mountain service areas see increased winter outages from ice and snow accumulation weighing down power lines.
Spring and fall generally have fewer outages region-wide, with occasional exceptions during transitional weather patterns.
Certain areas with older infrastructure experience more frequent equipment-related outages regardless of season.
How Long It Takes to Get Your Power Back
Storm-related outages typically take 4-48 hours to restore, depending on damage severity. Equipment failure repairs usually require 2-6 hours once crews arrive on site. Planned maintenance outages last 4-8 hours in most cases, with advance notification provided. Major weather events affecting multiple regions may extend restoration times to 3-7 days for the most remote or severely damaged areas. Priority restoration goes to critical infrastructure (hospitals, public safety facilities) first, followed by repairs that restore service to the largest number of customers, with individual outages addressed last.
Essential Preparation Checklist
Don't wait until the lights go out—preparing for Dominion power outages now can save you from hours of frustration and potential hazards later. Since hospitals and essential services get restored first, homes often wait longer for power to return, making self-sufficiency crucial. Here's everything you need to stay comfortable when the grid goes down:
Category | Essential Items | Recommended Quantity |
Lighting | Flashlights, headlamps, lanterns | 1 per person + 2 extras |
Batteries (various sizes) | 3 sets per device | |
Communication | Battery/hand-crank radio | 1 per household |
Power banks | 1 per person | |
Food & Water | Bottled water | 1 gallon per person per day (3-day minimum) |
Non-perishable food | 3-day supply per person | |
Manual can opener | 1-2 per household | |
Medical | First aid kit | 1 comprehensive kit |
Prescription medications | 7-day supply | |
Medical device backup power | Device-specific requirements | |
Documents | ID, insurance, medical info | Waterproof container or digital copies |
Emergency contact list | Physical copy + ICE phone contacts | |
Pet Supplies | Food, water, medications | 0 per pet |
Carriers, leashes, ID tags | 1 per pet |
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5 Ways to Keep Your Power On During a Dominion Outage
Having some backup power during an outage keeps essential devices running and improves your comfort and safety. Here are options to consider based on your needs and budget when Dominion Energy service is interrupted.
Portable Generators
Portable generators ($300-$1,000) provide 2,000-7,500 watts for basic appliances, and whole-house standby generators ($4,000-$12,000 installed) provide 10,000-20,000 watts of automatic standby power. Place generators at least 20 feet from your house with the exhaust away from windows and doors. Never use generators indoors or in garages due to their deadly carbon monoxide risk. Use proper outdoor extension cords and never connect generators directly to the electrical wiring of your house, which can injure utility workers.
Home Battery Systems
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) range from $100-$300 and power computers and medical equipment for 10-30 minutes in short outages. Larger residential battery systems such as Tesla Powerwall or Generac PWRcell ($8,000-$16,000 installed) have 10-15 kWh of stored electricity that can power necessary circuits for 8-12 hours. Backup batteries can be purchased specifically for critical medical equipment such as CPAPs and oxygen concentrators. Consider the number of watts your critical devices require before making a purchase.
Solar Power Solutions
Solar chargers ($50-$300) are portable chargers that provide 15-100 watts to charge gear where sunlight is accessible. Solar generators like EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator ($500-$2,500) combine solar panels and batteries, storing 500-2,000 watt-hours of energy. Battery backup installed solar systems offer complete outage protection but are $15,000-$30,000 and require professional installation. Remember that typical grid-tied solar systems without batteries shut off during outages for safety reasons. Consider your region's sunshine and typical outage length when evaluating solar solutions.
Power Banks
When the electricity cuts off, power banks still power your gadgets. Basic models ($20-$60) handle charging phones, while mid-range stations ($150-$1,000) provide small appliances for brief outages. For serious protection, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station has a massive 1024Wh capacity and 1800W output to charge multiple devices during extended blackouts. Its 30-minute charge capability and multiple power source support (solar, car, wall, generator, or EV charger) make it very handy in emergency situations. For best performance, store power banks at room temperature and have their wattage output suitable for your devices.
Whole-House Standby Generators
Dominion offers rebates up to $1,000 for qualifying whole-house generators in select areas through their Energy Conservation Program. Smart thermostat rebates of $50-$100 help reduce power use when service returns. Their Renewable Energy Connection Program provides incentives for battery storage systems connected to renewable energy sources. Joining Dominion's demand response programs may qualify you for additional backup power equipment incentives. Contact Dominion customer service or check their website for current programs and requirements.
Home Safety During a Dominion Power Outage
When the power goes out, new safety concerns arise even if you have some backup power. These tips will help protect your family and home during a Dominion Power outage.
1. Watch out for carbon monoxide
Never use generators, grills, or camp stoves inside your home, garage, or windows. Place battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms on each floor and check them monthly. If a person has headaches, is dizzy or sick, or seems confused, these are carbon monoxide poisoning signs. If your alarm sounds or someone shows these symptoms, get people out of the building immediately and call 911.
2. Keep food from spoiling
An unopened refrigerator keeps food at a safe temperature for roughly 4 hours when there is no electricity. Full freezers will maintain their cold temperature for roughly 48 hours, while half-full freezers will last roughly 24 hours. Discard meat, poultry, fish, milk, and eggs if they've spent over 4 hours above 40°F. Check food temperatures when power is back using a thermometer. If unsure, it's always better to discard food than take the risk of getting ill.
3.Make sure water is safe
Power outages may disrupt water systems. If authorities recommend boiling water, boil it for one minute before use. Have bottled water (one gallon per person per day) for drinking and cooking. Pre-fill bathtubs and toilet-flushing and washing containers with water before the outage. Don't use water that has been contaminated for brushing teeth, washing dishes, or preparing food.
4. Stay comfortable without power
Use spare clothes, sleeping bags, and blankets to stay warm instead of dangerous heating methods. Battery-powered fans may come in handy in warm weather. Make one room your "warm room" by isolating other rooms and covering windows with blankets. Never heat your home with your gas stove or oven. Keep hand warmers on hand for extra comfort during winter. In the summer, open windows for ventilation when it is safe to do so.
5. Prevent frozen pipes
In cold weather, let faucets drip to prevent freezing. Open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can reach the pipes. Use heat tape powered by batteries or a generator on vulnerable pipes. Put foam insulation on pipes before winter comes. Know where your main water shutoff valve is in case pipes freeze and burst.
6. Keep your home secure
Lock all doors and windows during an outage. Use battery-powered motion lights near entrances. If you have a security system, make sure it has a battery backup. Don't post about your power outage on social media, as this tells people your home might be vulnerable. Stay visible around your home during the day. Work with neighbors to watch each other's homes during the outage.
Step-by-Step Dominion Power Outage Response Plan
When the lights go out, knowing what to do can keep your family safe and help get your power back faster. This simple guide will walk you through the steps to take during a Dominion Power outage.
Is it just your house or everyone?
Look outside to see if your neighbors' lights are on and if streetlights are working. Keep flashlights in places where you can easily find them in the dark. Unplug your expensive electronics to protect them from damage when power returns. Check immediately on family members who need medical devices.
Let Dominion know about the outage
You can report the outage in several ways:
Use the Dominion Energy mobile app
Visit dominionenergy.com
Text "OUT" to 57667
Call 866-366-4357
Tell them your address and mention any fallen power lines you see. Sign up for alerts so you'll know when to expect your power back.
Check in with your neighbors
Talking to people nearby helps figure out how widespread the outage is. This information can help repair crews find and fix the problem faster. Share updates with each other and offer help to elderly neighbors who might need assistance.
Keep your electronics safe
Unplug computers, TVs, and other electronics to prevent damage. Even surge protectors might not be enough during a power outage, so disconnecting completely is safest. For any devices you must keep running, use good quality surge protectors or battery backups. After power comes back on, wait about 15 minutes before plugging everything back in.
Should you stay or go?
You can usually stay home if you have food, water, and it's not too hot or cold. Consider leaving if:
Your house gets dangerously hot or cold
Your carbon monoxide alarm goes off
Someone needs electricity for medical reasons
Know where you could go in an emergency and keep a bag packed with essentials just in case.
Special care for those who need it
Family members with health issues need extra planning. Let Dominion Energy and local emergency services know if someone in your home uses medical equipment that needs electricity. Have backup power ready for medical devices. Keep extra medications handy and know how you'll get to a medical facility if needed.
Recovering After Power is Restored
When your lights come back on after a Dominion outage, take these simple steps to safely return to normal and prepare for next time:
1. Wait 15 minutes before plugging in appliances
Wait 15 minutes before connecting major appliances to prevent power surge damage. Check for strange odors or noises from electronics and unplug anything that appears to be malfunctioning. If your refrigerator, microwave, or other appliances are not functioning correctly, disconnect them and have them professionally inspected.
2. Throw away unsafe food from your refrigerator
Use a thermometer to test your fridge—discard perishes if the temperature exceeds 40°F for over 4 hours. Frozen food with ice formation is generally okay to refreeze. When in doubt, toss it out! Document discarded food with photos for potential insurance claims.
3. Take pictures of damage for claims
If you experience damage, take a picture of it right away and report it to Dominion Energy's claims department (866-366-4357) within 30 days. Retain all repair or replacement receipts. Be aware that claims for food spoilage typically involve outages over 24 hours.
4. Replace what you used from your emergency kit
Check out what you used during the power outage and replace it as early as possible. Charge power banks, exchange batteries, and refill water containers. Reflect on what you wished you had used during the outage and add those to your kit.
5. Save receipts and notes about the outage
Note when the outage started and ended for your records. Contact your insurance company if you have significant losses, as some policies cover outage-related damages. Save receipts for any extra expenses you incurred while the power was out.
Remember to reset your electronic devices, check that safety systems like smoke detectors are working, and run cold water for a minute before drinking if the outage lasted more than a day.
Be Ready When the Lights Go Out
Power outages happen to everyone—it's how you handle them that matters. With simple preparation, you can turn what could be a crisis into just a minor bump in your routine. Your personal readiness plan combined with community resources gives you multiple layers of protection for your family. While Dominion Energy works to restore service, your advance planning keeps everyone safe and comfortable. Take a few minutes this week to check your supplies, update your contact list, and sign up for medical priority service if you need it. Being prepared isn't complicated, but it makes all the difference when you're suddenly sitting in the dark.