CHESAPEAKE, Va. — The Hampton Roads area is now in Hurricane season, and Dominion Energy crews are making sure they are prepared for anything that comes our way.
Across the region, crews are checking poles and bolstering equipment.
“We have a high-in-demand job," said Taylor Pruitt, a lead lineman for Dominion Energy.
On Thursday, a team of linemen replaced aging utility poles in parts of Chesapeake. If there’s an issue with power, Pruitt and others in his field are responsible for fixing it.
“You call and say you see a wire down or your lights are out, we come out and fix it," said Pruitt. “It can be a lot. You know, we are always prepared for anything Mother Nature can throw at us.”
When it comes to storm preparation, it all starts right at Dominion's facility on Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake.
From there, workers are dispatched with the equipment needed to fix any problems a storm may bring.
“It’s an ongoing process," said Pruitt.
Maintenance happens year-round.
Pruitt said crews cannot afford to wait until the stormy season to get in order. They’re making sure equipment around the region is ready to withstand a major weather event.
“Upgrading poles, upgrading transformers, just bringing things up to today's standards," he said.
In today’s world, with more people working and schooling from home, Pruitt says crews need to be ready to act and get people back online.
“We try to get things back on as quickly and safely as possible," he said.
Hurricane season started June 1 and lasts until the end of November.
Anyone who experiences a power outage can call Dominion Energy at 866-366-4357 or report it online by clicking here.