Update: More than 80,000 Without Power in Northern Virginia, DC

Update 8:30 p.m. Monday: 

More than 80,000 people are now without power in Northern Virginia. 

Hurricane Sandy officially made landfall in southern New Jersey around 8 p.m. and has morphed into Post-Tropical Storm Sandy, but the change in name means little about the strength of the storm.

Rain and strong winds will continue through tonight and into Tuesday morning.

One area of Huntington has been evacuated, and trees have caused damage to homes in McLean, Burke and elsewhere. 

Update 6:35 p.m. Monday:

As Hurricane Sandy makes landfall sometime this evening with its center over New Jersey, power outages in Northern Virginia are increasing quickly.

More than 50,000 people are now without power in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. Outages are expected to continue throughout Monday night and into Tuesday.  

Update 5:30 p.m. Monday: 

Dominion Virginia Power is reporting more than 11,900 customers without power in Northern Virginia with a concentration of outages in Arlington and Alexandria. 

More than 2,000 Arlington County residents are without power, and another 1,100 residents are without power in Alexandria. More than 4,900 are without power in Fairfax County. 

Dominion's Interactive Outage Map is available here. 

Pepco is reporting more than 5,000 without power in the District of Columbia at this time and thousands more in Maryland. 

Novec has about 1,100 customers without power throughout Northern Virginia. Rappahannock Electric Cooperative also has outages, but they are mostly in southeastern Virginia.

All power companies have called in back-up crews from other states, but there are no estimates as to when power will be restored. 

Strong winds and rain will continue throughout tonight and into Tuesday morning. 

Update 3 p.m. Monday:

Area power companies are reporting increasing numbers of customers without power as Sandy nears the region.

During an afternoon press briefing Gov. Bob McDonnell warned, “For most of the state, the worst part of the storm is still ahead.” He said the numbers would only continue to increase and residents should “prepare now for power outages.”

Dominion Virginia Power is reporting approximately 7,600 customers without power in Northern Virginia.

When asked about restoration times, the Virginia Dominion Power Twitter account told Patch, that estimated times were not currently available. Dominion suggested customers "check for updates for their area at 866-366-4357."

PEPCO's Twitter account offered a similar answer, "We won't have any firm estimates until the storm passes, but we will work as quickly as possible to restore your power."

Other providers in the region as of 3 p.m. Monday:

• Pepco has nearly 4,800 customers without power in the District and Maryland (updates available here).
• Novec reported 177 customers without power (updates available here).
• Rappahannock Electric Cooperative reported approximately 700 customers without power (updates available here).

Update 11:30 a.m. Monday:

Dominion Virginia Power at this time is reporting approximately 600 people without power in Northern Virginia. Most of those Northern Virginia customers are in the Fairfax area. Most Dominion power outages are in east and southeast Virginia at Virginia Beach and Westmoreland.

Other providers in the region as of 11:30 a.m. Monday:

• Pepco had about 950 customers without power in the District and Maryland (updates available here).
• Novec reported no customers without power in Manassas Park (updates available here).
• Rappahannock Electric Cooperative reported approximately 335 customers without power (updates available here).

Update 9:50 a.m. Monday:

Dominion Virginia Power at this time is reporting fewer than 50 people without power in Northern Virginia. Those customers are in the greater Manassas area. Most Dominion power outages are in the southeastern part of Virginia. 

The wind and rain are expected to increase in the early to mid-afternoon hours, and that is when power outages in Northern Virginia may become more widespread. 

If you lose power, call your local power company — even if you think your neighbor already has called.  You may call Dominion at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) or report through www.dom.com from your mobile device. 

Numbers for other regional power companies are below. 

Also, feel free to let others know about your power outages in the comments section below.

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Original Post - 5:30 a.m. Monday

Widespread Power Outages Expected with Hurricane Sandy

Power outages are expected to be a major side effect of Hurricane Sandy as it makes landfall north of Northern Virginia Monday and Tuesday.

"This storm system will build in intensity over time and will remain a force for days, not just hours, causing major damage and extensive power outages," according to a statement from Rodney Blevins, vice president of Distribution Operations. "Its effects will be felt for days along much of the East Coast."

Dominion reported Sunday evening that the company has secured commitments for 2,000 outside personnel to help repair damages from this storm. Some have already arrived from as far away as Alabama.

Around 6 a.m. Monday, Dominion Virginia Power was reporting about 3,000 people without power, but the vast majority of those were in in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Dominion Virginia Power frequently updates this town-by-town list of power outages in addition to this interactive outage viewer.

Other providers in the region as of 6 a.m. Monday:

• Pepco had about 200 people without power in the District and Maryland (updates available here).
• Novec reported no customers without power in Manassas Park (updates available here).
• Rappahannock Electric Cooperative reported just a handful of customers without power (updates available here).

According to a statement from the National Weather Service Sunday evening, “The main threats for Sandy will be strong winds resulting in widespread tree damage and heavy rains which will result in extensive flooding of local creeks…streams and small rivers.”

What to do if You Lose Power

Stay far away from downed trees and power lines.

If your power goes out or if you see power lines down, call 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357), even if you think your neighbors have already done so, to help Dominion pinpoint the cause of the outage.

Customers may also report an outage through www.dom.com from their mobile device. (Learn how to use Dominion’s new mobile site here.) You will need to type in the phone number or account number on record with Dominion and the last four digits of the account holder’s Social Security number, PIN or federal tax ID number.

Novec customers may report an outage here or call 703-335-0500 or toll-free 1-888-335-0500.

Pepco customers may report an outage online through this form or call 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662). 

And REC customers may report outages online here or call 800-552-3904.

Safety tips and alerts are available from Virginia Dominion Power on Twitter and Facebook.

Also see these electrical safety tips from Novec.

More Hurricane Sandy coverage and information:

Food Safety Tips During Power Outages

Hurricane Sandy Pet Safety Tips

Local Boaters Prepare for Hurricane Sandy

Police Pass Out Flyers in Flood-Prone Huntington

Worst of Hurricane Sandy to Hit Monday Afternoon in Northern Virginia