Fallen Trees and Tree Limbs: Southside Virginia is known for its beautiful, tree-filled landscapes, a perk of living in a rural area with plenty of natural scenery. However, with this abundance of trees comes the downside - when strong winds, storms, or ice hit,
falling branches and entire trees can take down power lines, leading to outages. While trees enhance the area's charm and provide environmental benefits, it also means the area is more susceptible to weather-related power disruptions.
Equipment Failure: Occurs when there is a disruption to the flow of electricity through system equipment. In some cases, this can happen on the transmission system owned by another electric provider before power reaches SEC’s system. When this occurs, it can prevent SEC from receiving and delivering electricity to members.
Severe Weather: Thunderstorms, hurricanes, and ice storms are common causes of outages, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and ice accumulation that can bring down power lines and trees. Severe thunderstorms typically cause more outages in a given year than any other event. While they may not be as impactful as a hurricane or ice storm, they occur with much higher frequency.
Wildlife Interference: Squirrels, birds, snakes, and other animals can come into contact with electrical equipment such as transformers, power lines, and substations – some can also chew through wiring and insulation causing localized outages.
Vehicle Accidents: When a vehicle crashes into a utility pole, it can cause a power outage in the area. The crash might damage the pole and power lines, and sometimes the electricity needs to be turned off to keep everyone safe.
