Thunderstorm takes out power for thousands in Fairfax County

More than 5,000 people in northern Fairfax County are currently without power, as a thunderstorm pummels the D.C. area.

According to Dominion Energy’s outage map, the largest outages are concentrated north of Tysons and in the east Reston and Great Falls area, which is currently experiencing three separate outages in the wake of the storm that started pouring rain earlier this evening (Thursday).

The most significant swath starts south of the Dulles Toll Road and extends all the way up into Great Falls past Riverbend Park, encompassing 2,806 people who have lost power due to a circuit outage, according to Dominion. A crew has been dispatched, but as of publication, there is no estimated time of restoration yet.

Another outage affecting 1,786 customers around Colvin Run and Lake Fairfax was also caused by a lost circuit with an estimated time of restoration pending investigation.

Finally, 687 people have lost power around Difficult Run Stream Valley Park. The cause and estimated time of restoration are both pending investigation.

In a Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued at 8:21 p.m., the National Weather Service advised residents to move indoors to the lowest part of their residence.

“Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately,” the NWS said. “Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.”

840p: Thjs line of storms from Baltimore to DC to Manassas really blossomed beyond expectations. Forecasting storms keep you humble. pic.twitter.com/sz9zKxFeZ8

— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) May 27, 2021

Image via Dominion Energy