Virginia Storm Crisis: Over 134,000 Without Power Following “Rare” Severe Weather

RICHMOND, VA — A powerful storm system described by the National Weather Service (NWS) as a “quite rare Level 4 Moderate Risk” event swept through Virginia on Monday, March 16, 2026, leaving more than 134,000 customers in the dark. The outages come after a day of intense thunderstorms, 80-mph wind gusts, and localized tornado warnings that toppled trees and snapped power lines across the state.

As of Tuesday morning, March 17, restoration efforts are underway, but thousands remain without electricity in the hardest-hit central and northern counties.

1. The Scope of the Outages

According to PowerOutage.us, the total number of affected customers peaked at over 134,600 late Monday night. Dominion Energy reported the vast majority of these cases.

• Stafford County: The most severely impacted area, with 22,026 outages—affecting approximately 35% of the county’s tracked customers.
• Spotsylvania County: Over 12,000 reports of lost power.
• Other Major Hits: Significant outages were also reported in Chesterfield (11,002), Henrico (8,518), and Hanover (7,444).

2. Storm Damage and Restoration

The NWS issued severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings through 10:30 PM on Monday. The storm system caused widespread physical damage:

• Wind Damage: Non-thunderstorm wind gusts of up to 31 mph continued into the night, complicating repair work. In Rockville, trees were reported falling into homes, while in Damascus, high winds reportedly lifted a trampoline onto a parked car.
• Crew Deployment: Dominion Energy and Rappahannock Electric Coop have mobilized crews “around the clock.” However, as of early Tuesday, many areas are still in the “Assessing Damage” phase due to the sheer volume of downed lines.
• Safety Warning: Officials have urged residents never to touch downed power lines and to treat all darkened intersections as four-way stops.

3. Weather Outlook: A “Hard Freeze” Incoming

While the thunderstorms have moved out, the weather remains a concern for those without heating:

• Plunging Temperatures: Following the cold front, a hard freeze is likely for Tuesday night, March 17, into Wednesday.
• Preparedness: Residents without power are advised to stay in interior rooms and avoid using gas-fueled generators indoors due to carbon monoxide risks.

Virginia Power Outage Summary (March 17, 2026)