Outage Preparation Tips

Learn How You Can Be Prepared

Power outages can interrupt your life the most when you are unprepared.

View our video to learn how you can be ready for the impact of a major storm by creating your own emergency preparedness kit. Most items for your kit are readily accessible.

Also be sure to view the links below for more tips.

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (>> More on keeping food safe)
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit

Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pet (>> more on pets)
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Cash or traveler's checks and change
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. (Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.)
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. (Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.)
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Protect Electronics

Use surge protectors
Unplug televisions and other sensitive electronics
Consider a UPS
Charge the battery for your cell phone and laptops
Make sure your generator is ready, fueled and safe (view safety tips)

No Power? Contact Dominion!

When you report an outage, we use your phone number to identify your location. Sign in (or register) to view or update your number, or call us at 1-800-222-0401.

Keep the Dominion Customer Service Center number, 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357), with your other emergency numbers. You might also add our number to your cell phone so you can reach us easily in the event of an outage.

View our video on the right to see how Dominion Virginia Power stays prepared for storm events.

Storm and Outage Updates

Visit our Storm Center for information on the weather and outages affecting Dominion customers.

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