High winds cause outages, closings
Published 4:51 pm Friday, March 2, 2018
Photo by Ron Card Pictured is a large, precariously-perched tree that high winds blew over onto the Southside Electric power lines in the easement off Rt. 604 behind the St. Douglas Baptist Church in the Abilene area of Charlotte Court House at approximately 1:15 p.m. Friday. Sparks from the electric lines immediately caused a brush fire which was responded to by the Charlotte Court House Volunteer Fire Department. Photographer Ron Card said firefighters told him the fire was contained and mostly out by 2:15 p.m.
Photo by Ron Card Pictured is a large, precariously-perched tree that high winds blew over onto the Southside Electric power lines in the easement off Rt. 604 behind the St. Douglas Baptist Church in the Abilene area of Charlotte Court House at approximately 1:15 p.m. Friday. Sparks from the electric lines immediately caused a brush fire which was responded to by the Charlotte Court House Volunteer Fire Department. Photographer Ron Card said firefighters told him the fire was contained and mostly out by 2:15 p.m.
High winds in Charlotte County have resulted in numerous power outages and school cancellations, area officials reported.
An outage map from Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) reported approximately 1,244 power outages in Charlotte County as of 3:30 p.m.
To report power outages to SEC, call (866) 878-5514.
An outage map from Dominion Energy reports approximately 234 outages in Charlotte County as of 3:30 p.m. To report power outages to Dominion, call (866) 366-4357.
A large, precariously-perched tree that high winds blew over onto the Southside Electric power lines in the easement off Rt. 604 behind the St. Douglas Baptist Church in the Abilene area of Charlotte Court House at approximately 1:15 p.m. Friday. Sparks from the electric lines immediately caused a brush fire which was responded to by the Charlotte Court House Volunteer Fire Department. Photographer Ron Card said firefighters told him the fire was contained and mostly out by 2:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service cites that a wind advisory will be in effect in the area until Saturday morning. Wind speeds are estimated to be between 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 to 55 miles per hour.
“Strong wind gusts may cause downed tree limbs and small trees,” a release from the National Weather Service cited. “Scattered power outages are possible.”
A release from Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) cited that due to a power outage, classes were cancelled for area schools.
“Due to a power outage confirmed at one of our schools, high winds reported throughout the county causing debris on roadways and with official high wind warnings issued throughout the day, Charlotte County Public Schools will be closed today March 2nd for all students and staff,” the release noted.