With winter weather not far away, power outages will likely follow. Staff at Appalachian Power Company are preparing for the worst, and 10 News Photojournalist Jordan Parham got a behind-the-scenes look at how they are getting ready.

The Claytor Hydroelectric Project announced that APCO wants recreational users downstream of Claytor Dam to know water levels on the New River could rise starting Sunday, and possibly fluctuate early next week.

APCO announced on Wednesday that it had taken a major step towards reducing customer bills in an application filed with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Appalachian Power Company is warning recreational users downstream of Claytor and Leesville dams that water levels on the New and Roanoke rivers could start rapidly rising on Sunday.

Appalachian Power representatives have selected a proposed route for a new transmission line in Campbell County, Pittsylvania County, and Altavista. The upgrades are part of the Altavista-Leesville Transmission Improvements Project, which involves rebuilding approximately 4.5 miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in or near the existing right-of-way and building approximately 5 miles of 138-kV transmission line parallel to existing transmission lines.

Appalachian Power company gave an update on outages and the company’s response to outages in our region. As of 9 a.m. Sunday 27,400 are still without power including 19,500 customers in Virginia.

Appalachian Power Company gave an update on storm preparations and response to possible outages Sunday afternoon.

If you’re in the dark Friday afternoon, you’re not alone!

Some Appalachian Power Company users have been experiencing power outages due to the storms that have been rolling through the region.

Power is estimated to be restored by 7:00 p.m.

Appalachian Power Company anticipates that based on weather and river flow forecasts, Smith Mountain Lake will rise about one foot above normal full pond sometime on Thursday morning. Full pond for Smith Mountain Lake is 795 feet, and as of 11:05 p.m. Wednesday night, it was at 795.78 feet, according to AEP. The company said that allowing the lake level to rise above full pond will help prevent more flooding downstream of the Smith Mountain Project. Property and boat owners are asked to secure their belongings as a precaution.