MARTINSVILLE – As we have been sweating in the summertime heat this week, the only relief we saw this week was isolated to scattered thunderstorms, which packed a punch with high winds with wind gusts up to 50 MPH and quarter-size hail. This prompted thousands of customers to be in the dark from the storms.
According to Appalachian Power, the following locations are in the dark as of Friday evening:
Franklin: 1,142
Henry: 1,340
Patrick: 3,695
According to Appalachian Power's website, there is no estimated time listed when power will be restored.
This afternoon, the National Weather Service of Blacksburg, Virginia issued a number of thunderstorm watches and warnings in our coverage area and most will be able to expire by 8:00 PM. Most of the storm damage from these storms has been down trees.
As we settle into the Father's Day weekend, we will get a break from the summertime heat and return to near-normal high temperatures in the low 80s, and overnight low temperatures will remain below normal, with the upper 40s to low 50s, with partly to mostly clear skies at night.