RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 6 /EMWNews/ -- Dominion Virginia Power

has been preparing for the 2008 hurricane season by providing storm

training for key responders, conducting emergency response drills, and

strengthening its service restoration processes.



    "We already have experienced the effects of several major thunderstorms

this year, and we know that hurricanes pose even more danger. It's always

good for our company and customers to understand the potential challenges

hurricanes can present," said David A. Heacock, president of Dominion

Virginia Power. "We want our customers to be prepared and keep themselves

safe during challenging weather events, just as our crews are ready and

work safely in restoring power."



    Dominion reminds its customers to call toll free 1-888-667-3000 to

report outages or downed lines. The company's outage reporting system,

which consists of call-center representatives as well as an automated voice

response unit, can handle up to 100,000 calls an hour. Using the

voice-response unit is the quickest way to report an outage or downed power

lines.



    Dominion's weather operations staff constantly monitors the National

Hurricane Center to provide customers with the earliest possible

notification when inclement weather is approaching. It is best to prepare

now, before a hurricane is forecast, to avoid any rush on supplies.



    Dominion urges its customers to pay attention to weather reports. If

severe weather is expected, take these common-sense steps to prepare for

possible outages:



    Before the storm



    -- Look at information about the 2008 Virginia Hurricane evacuation

guidelines by visiting the Virginia Department of Transportation's Web site

for emergency procedures:

http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hurricane_default.asp.



    -- Develop an emergency plan and special medical needs. For the most

up-to-date state preparedness information on hurricanes, visit the Virginia

Department of Emergency Management's Web site section on hurricanes:

http://www.vaemergency.com/threats/hurricane/index.cfm.



    -- Establish an on-line account with Dominion at http://www.dom.com and update

it with your telephone number -- including your cell phone number. This

will ensure the accurate reporting of your power outage.



    -- Make sure you have a battery-operated radio, multiple flashlights,

and a battery-operated clock and fan, along with extra batteries.



    -- Make a point of having extra cash on hand. Widespread power outages

could affect area ATM machines, which makes obtaining money more difficult

after a major storm.



    -- Turn off and unplug any non-essential electrical equipment in your

home.



    -- Put important documents in a waterproof container.



    -- Have at least three gallons of fresh water per person on hand. This

is especially important for those who rely on well water.



    -- Have a good supply of canned and other non-refrigerated foods

available.




    -- Make sure all prescription medications are filled.

    -- Have a full tank of gas in your car.

    -- If you have pets, make sure you have provided for them as well.



    During the storm, if your electricity is interrupted



    -- Turn off major appliances such as heat pumps, water heaters and

stoves. Unplug other appliances such as TVs, stereos, microwaves and

computers. This will prevent damage to the appliance and possible overloads

to the company's system when power is restored.



    -- Disconnect cable lines from TVs and stereos. This will prevent

lightning damage to these items.



    -- Leave one lamp or light on so you will know when power is restored.



    -- Post a list of contents on your freezer to minimize the number of

times you open it.



    -- Frozen foods can last up to three days. They are safe to eat if they

still have ice crystals at the center.



    -- If using portable or camp-type stoves or lanterns for cooking and

lighting, make sure the area is adequately ventilated.



    After the storm



    -- Listen to your local radio station on your car or battery-powered

radio for regular news and weather updates. Don't rely on your neighbors to

report your outage. Call Dominion at 1-888-667-3000.



    -- Stay away from fallen wires, flooded areas and debris. Treat all

fallen wires as though they are energized.



    -- Follow safe operating procedures for generators. Never operate one

inside your home or in an enclosed space, such as a garage.



    -- Do not hook portable generators directly to the electrical system of

your home. Electricity could flow backwards onto our power lines and

endanger repair crews. Either have a qualified electrician perform the work

or plug directly into the generator with the proper-sized extension cords.



    -- Visually inspect the area around your electricity meter. If you

detect or suspect any damage, call us at 1-888-667-3000.



    Some useful links for the public and media during the summer storm

season are:



    -- Dominion Virginia Power Storm Center:

http://www.dom.com/news/storm.jsp



    -- Virginia Department of Emergency Management:

http://www.vaemergency.com/index.cfm




    -- Federal Department of Homeland Security: http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm

    -- National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/



    Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with a

portfolio of approximately 27,000 megawatts of generation. Dominion serves

retail energy customers in 11 states. For more information about Dominion,

visit the company's Web site at http://www.dom.com.