Charlottesville (22903) Chaos Unleashed: Central Virginia Storms Knock Out Power to Thousands – RESTORATION IN PROGRESS

Charlottesville (22903) – A fast-moving system of severe thunderstorms slammed into Central Virginia late Sunday evening, bringing high winds, torrential rain, and widespread power outages across the region. Emergency crews and utility workers have been deployed across multiple counties, as nearly 52,000 customers were left without electricity, with damage reports still pouring in.

The storms began forming around 6:45 PM, intensifying rapidly over Louisa, Albemarle, and Hanover counties, toppling trees, power lines, and even snapping utility poles in half. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued several severe thunderstorm warnings, and gusts in some areas exceeded 65 mph. Flash flooding was also reported in low-lying zones, prompting temporary road closures.

Dominion Energy says restoration efforts are underway but warns that some areas may remain in the dark for 24–48 hours, depending on access and safety conditions. Meanwhile, emergency shelters have been opened for those in need of cooling or power-dependent medical devices.

Local authorities are urging residents to stay indoors, avoid downed lines, and report hazardous conditions. As crews assess the full extent of the damage, Central Virginia residents face yet another reminder of the region’s vulnerability to violent summer storms.

Key Facts

•  BREAKING: Over 52,000 lose power after storm hits Central Virginia Sunday evening

•  IMPACT: Multiple counties affected; trees down, roads blocked, structures damaged

•  OFFICIAL SOURCE: “Crews are working around the clock to restore power safely.” – Dominion Energy

•  ACTION: Avoid downed lines, report outages via DominionEnergy.com or 1-866-DOM-HELP

Hyperlocal Impact

1. Precise Location:
   Charlottesville (22903) – Near Hydraulic Road and Route 29, major outages and debris reported

2. Community Connection:
   “It sounded like a freight train. My kids are terrified and we’ve got no power.”
   – Tamika Rowland, resident of Hanover County

WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:

This is the second major storm-related outage in Central Virginia this month, highlighting the growing impact of extreme weather events tied to regional climate volatility. With temperatures soaring into the 90s this week, the loss of power also poses a serious public health risk for seniors and those with medical needs.

Update Log

•  10:15 AM: Dominion reports 22,000 customers restored overnight; 30,000 still without power

•  8:00 AM: Flash flood warning lifted for Charlottesville and surrounding areas

•  7:30 PM (Previous Night): First reports of downed lines near Gordonsville confirmed by fire crews