As of 9:30 a.m. on Monday, 27,586 Dominion customers were still without power, down from 59,000 at noon on Saturday. The company says it has 4,200 employees and contractors working to restore power to customers in all affected areas, but notes that the huge scale of the damage is making restoration a multi-day process.
“Many poles and cross arms need to be replaced, and other infrastructure needs to be rebuilt,” Dominion said in a press release.
(Updated at 3:00 p.m.) The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has declared that the region’s air quality has reached the level of “Code Red” for today, meaning an unhealthy level of ozone pollution.
From a COG press release:
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the region today. Temperatures are now expected to climb as high as 103 today and 102 tomorrow, according to forecasters.
From Arlington Alerts:
An “Excessive Heat Watch” has been issued for Friday as the region braces for a sweltering weekend.
Forecasters are warning of a “prolonged period of hot temperatures” and humidity which will “create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
AWLA Wins ‘Best in Shelter’ Contest — The Animal Welfare League of Arlington will receive $50,000 in prize money after one of its dogs won the “Best in Shelter” contest. Gaston, a four-year-old American Bulldog mix, received the most votes in the contest, which was sponsored by author Martha Grimes. “The prize money will help us do even more for all the homeless animals that come into our shelter, including vaccines, medications, surgeries, and enrichment,” said AWLA Executive Director Neil Trent. Gaston was propelled to victory, at least in part, thanks to a music video produced by AWLA supporters.
Hot Weather Biking Tips — Given the on-going heat advisory, BikeArlington has posted some tips for bicycling in hot weather. Among them: hydrate, dress light, and take your time. [CommuterPage Blog]
Potomac Harmony Chorus, and all-female a capella group, was scheduled to perform.
The decision to cancel was made in consultation with the group, both for their health and safety, and for that of the audience.
(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) Today’s heat advisory has been extended through 10:00 p.m. on Thursday. From the National Weather Service:
… HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THURSDAY…
The three parks — Drew Playground (3514 22nd Street S.), Hayes Park (1516 N. Lincoln Street) and Lyon Village Park (1800 N. Highland Street) — opened over the weekend and will remain in service until Labor Day weekend. Hours of operation can be found online.
A fourth sprayground was originally supposed to have opened already at Virginia Highlands Park, but now isn’t expected to be ready until next year.
The blistering heat and oppressive humidity return to form an uncomfortable combo today. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Arlington and the rest of the region. The advisory is in effect from 11am through 9pm. Temperatures could get up to 103 degrees, making heat indices linger in the 105-109 degree range.
To check out Arlington County’s tips for staying cool, places around town to go to stay cool and tips for conserving energy to avoid brownouts, click here.
The company’s 2.4 million customers used 20,061 megawatts of electricity between 3 and 4pm on Friday. That broke the previous record of 19,688 megawatts set on August 8, 2007. One megawatt provides enough electricity for about 250 homes.
Although the blistering heat and oppressive humidity from last week has died down, the continued warm weather means high electricity use. Dominion has the following tips for keeping energy costs down and keeping homes comfortable:
If you thought yesterday was hot, get ready for it to get even hotter.
The D.C. area is in the second day of an excessive heat warning. With heat index values expected to reach as high as 120, forecasters are warning people to stay cool and hydrated.
Today’s Rosslyn lunchtime concert, slated to feature New Orleans-inspired rock quartet The Grandsons, has been canceled “due to excessive heat.” Thursday’s lunchtime concert has also been canceled, as has the Thursday lunchtime farmers market.
