Submitted by fresh__hell t3_125eq5v in rva
Anyone else catch that? I’m on the 3rd floor of my building and a bright light flashed through the window along with loud bangs (sounded like a car crash at first). No clue
Comments
[deleted] t1_je3wwwb wrote
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fresh__hell OP t1_je3wx7s wrote
Must have been a transformer, twitter handle @grid_events is the only place i’ve seen mention Utility Power Outage event. Thought i was losing it at first lol
chexsmix96 t1_je3y5l1 wrote
I knew I could rely on someone to be awake on here. My apartment building lost power too 🙃 I can hear everyone waking up and walking around now.
RambleOnRanger t1_je3yawr wrote
Fireworks at the stadium
spicychickenandranch t1_je3yepa wrote
Heard and saw it as well! Had an absolute heart attack! Woke me and my bf up and our power went out briefly. Idk how these transformers suddenly blow but it was so loud and bright it felt like a movie for a sec
cuddlyasacactus t1_je3zgme wrote
After the first explosion, I made the mistake of looking out the window and was absolutely blinded by the second one. Some of my outlets work, some don’t. 😵💫
ChuckBS t1_je4247a wrote
Sounds like a transformer blew up on one of the utility poles. They’re loud as hell when they go and usually produce some impressive fire and sparks
[deleted] t1_je43rll wrote
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Uncle-Iroh1 t1_je4b3si wrote
Does anyone know when power comes back on?
Uncle-Iroh1 t1_je4b4bk wrote
It looks like a few apartment buildings are out
DamionBlue t1_je4be61 wrote
Cold Storage went out like 20 minutes ago
fresh__hell OP t1_je4beof wrote
Just heard another one like 15 minutes ago
ChuckBS t1_je4bj8y wrote
You can call Dominion and report it, if they know about the outage they may have an estimated time of restoration.
drunklynn t1_je4bqbt wrote
Yup my boyfriend and I saw a super bright light and now his apartment has no power. We can now hear all the sirens going off and we are right by Jefferson park.
5DollarHot-N-Ready t1_je4bzeb wrote
According to the dominion website, a team has been dispatched and should be back up between 8-11am
masonbrit t1_je4cala wrote
Lights came back on in my part of church hill around 5.10. Traffic lights are out at 21st/broad and 17th/broad
amy2998 t1_je4e261 wrote
Power still out around 19th/main
Wahoogirl t1_je4et7e wrote
Power is out on the block near Kahlo’s and Union Market
InsanoLaneo t1_je4gvv5 wrote
Power just came back on 25th/M
chexsmix96 t1_je4jhp1 wrote
The latest it says on dominion’s website for this area is 2 pm 😒
There goes all my refrigerated food…
J-Colio t1_je4m24j wrote
>Idk how these transformers suddenly blow but it was so loud and bright it felt like a movie for a sec
So transformers are two large coils of wire tightly wrapped around a loop of iron. One coil on one side of the loop is the input high voltage and on the other side of the loop is the low voltage output coil. That's the "transforming" going on - high voltage to low. The reason they can handle such high voltages in such a small space is because they're filled with an insulating oil separating the input from the output. Over time the oil leaks out in various ways. Once there's not enough insulator in between the input and output you get a short circuit, and the high voltage arcs over creating an arc flash. The temperature of an arc flash event is hotter than the surface of the sun iirc, so things like solids can temporarily turn into liquids, gasses, or maybe even plasma.
Tldr: they suddenly blow because the insulating oil leaked out and the high voltage gets to short circuit over to the low voltage side.
opienandm t1_je4m97y wrote
I know it’s a bit of a drive, but the Lombardy Kroger usually has dry ice for sale.
WeetWoo97 t1_je4m9sp wrote
The explosion woke me and my dog up! I’ve seen transformers blow before and they’re LOUD and BRIGHT.
spicychickenandranch t1_je4ow8m wrote
I learned something today!!! Thanks!!
chexsmix96 t1_je4qc8k wrote
Power had already been out for 6+ hours (since 1am) so it was already gone. But thank you!
Charlesinrichmond t1_je4sf8j wrote
if you didn't open door, check temp inside. might be fine. A full fridge won't lose it that quickly
Charlesinrichmond t1_je4slu4 wrote
I've always wondered what the mechanism was, thanks! also always wondered why Dominion transformers blow up, and I've never heard of such a thing anywhere else I've lived. I figure dominion buys them from Wish
chexsmix96 t1_je4t35t wrote
Oh yeah, I checked. It was almost room temp already by the time I opened it this morning. Thankfully at least the freezer should be good!
Charlesinrichmond t1_je4th38 wrote
oh damn. That's worse than I would have guessed.
Check which stuff can't handle room. Things like condiments, eggs should be fine. I'd chuck raw meat.
chexsmix96 t1_je4ucsm wrote
That’s what I thought too. I was reading to see how long it should last and everything I read said 4 hours. I thought that was an exaggeration. Thankfully I’m vegetarian so not too much that would go. I threw cheese and eggs in the freezer quick hoping I can salvage them 😂 Eggs are too expensive for this to happen!
ScallionSwimming8265 t1_je4ve7c wrote
woke me up and scared the shit out of me, everything went out in the kitchen/living room, but when the thing blew my fish tank light turned on? Poor little guy was scared too
Uncle-Iroh1 t1_je56483 wrote
Power has been restored!⚡️
Charlesinrichmond t1_je5aree wrote
eggs should be fine. Not ideal but they don't really need refrigeration. I wouldn't worry about eggs personally or cheese given what you say.
Use your sense of smell and your best judgment, and err on the side of safety, but it doesn't sound scary considering
raindeerpie t1_je5bngy wrote
combined with the post about traffic lights being out in shockoe pretty much confirms transformer blew
rentapal t1_je3wr11 wrote
Heard and saw it too! The light flash was the brightest thing ive ever seen. It illuminated our entire apartment. Our power went out right after. Hoping it comes back by morning.