Dominion Power says 75 percent of the area's power should be restored by Wednesday, with 95 percent restored by Friday. After that it should be restored by Saturday.
Dominion spokesman Gregory Edwards said he could not give a specific time for the completion of power restoration in Roanoke Rapids and Weldon. “The damage to our system there is extensive from downed trees, which have brought many poles and wires down. Crews in those areas are working very hard and around the clock, making the repairs first that will get critical infrastructure and the most customers back in service.”
Edwards said the company appreciates the patience of the customers in a difficult time. “Our goal is to have all of our 1.2 million customers in Virginia and North Carolina who lost power to Hurricane Irene restored by Saturday.”
In an interview earlier today Edwards said customers who remain without power should call 1-866-366-4357 to report their outages, no matter if neighbors have reported theirs or they are on a major route.
Edwards said the priority in power restoration is given first to public safety. Following that is infrastructures like water and sewer and getting hospitals and nursing homes up. “This is the second largest restoration we have had to do since Isabel in 2003.”
Roanoke Rapids Public Works crews on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in Halifax County government buildings are still without power and superior court has been cancelled for the remainder of the week. District court is currently closed and operations will be determined on a daily basis.
Iindividuals who need to apply for a domestic violence protective order may apply to the Magistrate’s Offices in Halifax and Roanoke Rapids between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The county says if power is not restored by Wednesday, county services will be offered on a limited basis.
The following departments have special information regarding services:
The Tax Department is still unable to accept online payments. Payments should be postmarked on or before August 31 to take advantage of the discount. Taxes are still due by September 1 at par.
Supervisor training for evaluations has been postponed and will be re-scheduled.
The Register of Deeds Office will be open with limited services.
Chuck Overton and his son, Jacob, take ice to the Blue Flame Sunday.
The landfill will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tipping fees will not be waived for commercial customers. There are no tipping fees for residents. All tree stumps should be taken to the landfill, not to convenience sites. Convenience sites will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday this week. Those convenience sites include Hollister, Mary Chapel, Airport, Summit and Crowell.
Yard debris that s taken to the convenience sites should be cut small enough to fit into the containers.
Residents living on state maintained roads may place debris at the state right-of-way and DOT will pick up that debris. Residents not living on state maintained roads will need to transport debris to the landfill or to one of the convenience sites.
Maternity patients scheduled for maternity clinic will receive maternity assessments only.
Patients who are scheduled for 17P shots should also report for their scheduled appointments. Walk-in patients for immunizations and STD screenings will be seen and services will be provided.
In Weldon power has been restored to the water plant.
