Windsor, VA (January 20, 2026) – Community Electric Cooperative (CEC) is closely monitoring forecasts that a potentially severe winter storm will descend on the Tidewater region this weekend. The National Weather Service cautioned Tuesday morning that the region could experience a mix of ice, snow, sleet and/or freezing rain starting Saturday and continuing into Monday. This weather could produce dangerous travel conditions and power outages.
CEC is preparing to respond quickly and safely to potential impacts on the electric system. Line technicians are prepping trucks with all necessary supplies and materials for any outages that may occur as a result of the storm. CEC also is coordinating with co-ops in surrounding areas and states for potential assistance, and it has arranged for additional support from contractor crews.
“The safety of our member-owners and our staff is our top priority,” CEC President and Chief Executive Officer Steven A. Harmon said. “I urge our members to make preparations now to remain safe and comfortable in the event of an outage. I also would note, if indeed this weekend’s weather proves to be severe, that ice on trees and power lines can increase the time needed to restore power, especially with roads becoming hazardous. We absolutely will be working to get lights back on; just please be patient because it’s vital that our line workers can navigate storm conditions safely.”
CEC Manager of Communications Jessica Parr encouraged members to monitor the cooperative’s Facebook page leading up to and through this weekend’s weather event.
“It’s important that our members are well informed on weather-related developments in something as close to real time as we can achieve. Particularly if outages occur, we urge members to monitor Facebook to learn how our restoration work is progressing,” she said.
Here are several steps that members can take in preparation for severe weather:
- Assemble an emergency kit. It should include at least a three-day supply of water, non-perishable food, medication, first aid supplies, a flashlight, weather radio and extra batteries. Include a list of emergency contacts.
- Charge your cell phone and have external, backup power sources charged in order to report an outage via the SmartHub app. https://comelec.smarthub.coop/Login.htm
- Fuel up. Fill up your vehicles before the storm as a loss of power could affect gas stations.
Here are the website pages to monitor outages:
- Outage center: https://www.comelec.coop/outage-center/report-an-outage/
- Outage Map: https://ebill.comelec.coop/maps/OutageWebMap/
As a reminder, if wintry conditions lead to downed lines, stay away! Contact with downed lines can be dangerous, even deadly. Report downed power lines to CEC at 757-242-6181 or call 911 immediately.
Community Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Windsor, is a not-for-profit member-owned energy provider that serves nearly 12,000 homes, farms, and businesses in the counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry and Sussex, and the City of Suffolk. For more information, go to www.comelec.coop.
