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Governor Bob McDonnell Thanks Virginia Utilities and Emergency Crews as They Assist NY and NJ Storm Recovery
RICHMOND-Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Virginia utility companies including Dominion Virginia Power, Appalachian Power and five Virginia electric cooperatives are sending more than 1,600 crewmembers and their equipment north to assist in the restoration of power and recovery efforts in New York and New Jersey. These crews join several employees of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management who have been deployed to assist in emergency operations centers in the storm-impacted areas.
"Virginia was blessed by being spared the brunt of Hurricane Sandy's wrath," Governor McDonnell said. "While storm recovery efforts in the Commonwealth continue, it is incumbent upon us to look north and offer any assistance we can provide to the storm-ravaged citizens of New York and New Jersey who bore the brunt of this natural disaster. Immediately following the storm, I reached out to the governors Christie and Cuomo and offered Virginia's assistance with anything they need, and I am pleased to have been able to work closely with Dominion and our electric cooperatives to provide vital energy restoration crews to restore power to the millions of citizens still in the dark following the storm. We are also providing our state emergency response agency's expertise to assist with the daunting task of coordinating recovery efforts in these northern states. I am pleased to do our part as citizens and companies band together to help in this time of need."
Dominion Virginia Power is sending more than 1,500 crewmembers and corresponding equipment to assist in restoring power to New York and New Jersey residents still facing blackout conditions.
"As the storm approached Virginia, we were calling upon our neighboring states to send us crews and supplies to address potential power outages in the Commonwealth that never materialized due to the track of the storm," said Rodney Blevins, Vice President of Distribution Operations for Dominion Virginia Power. "We were very fortunate to have been spared the devastation that this storm brought to our friends to the north. Therefore, we feel it our responsibility to help out our fellow citizens by sending our resources to assist in the recovery in New York and New Jersey. Our crews are on their way and we will keep them in the affected regions as long as they are needed."
As of Friday morning, Nov. 2, Virginia's member-owned electric cooperatives were deploying crews and equipment to provide assistance to hard-hit areas to the north and west of Virginia.
Jack Reasor, president of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives, said, "Virginia's electric cooperatives are greatly concerned about the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. We are working hard to provide tangible assistance to these hard-hit areas. We are very proud of the job performed by Virginia's electric-cooperative line crews in restoring power to our cooperative member-consumers following Hurricane Sandy. We're confident that they will provide the same high level of outstanding assistance to our neighbors in need in these other states."
A team of emergency management professionals from Virginia departs today on a two-week deployment to New York where they will work as planning staff in the New York State Emergency Operations Center. Planning staff gather and report situational data related to disaster response.
The team is comprised of two employees from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and two from the city of Alexandria. They are being sent in response to a specific request from New York received through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact an agreement among all states to share resources during governor-declared states of emergency.
"When the chips are down and people are in need, Virginians always step up and lend a helping hand," Governor McDonnell said. "I am pleased to offer these resources and any additional tools that we can to help those impacted by this historic storm to begin rebuilding their lives after its devastating impact. I invite private citizens and corporations to offer any resources they can to assist as well, through the American Red Cross, the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund and other organizations coordinating aid."
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