Power outage restoration by the utility can take minutes to several days depending on the damage and access for repair crews, while a standby generator restores home power within seconds. Most delays come from storm-related damage to lines, poles, or transformers that must be made safe before repairs proceed. Our team sees this pattern often around Hollins and the greater Roanoke Valley during severe weather. A practical technician insight: brief returns of power followed by another outage usually mean the utility is re-routing or re-energizing sections in stages. If you want priority help on your backup system during outages, our Service Club includes 24-7 priority emergency service.
What affects utility restoration time:
- Widespread vs. isolated damage
- Crew access and road safety
- Utility prioritization of hospitals and critical circuits
- Ongoing weather or ice conditions
If outages are frequent, consider a standby generator so essential circuits stay on automatically.
Updated: 2026-09-01
Need help in Hollins, VA? Call 540-583-4765 or book online. "Ian serviced and fixed our generator a few weeks ago... 34+ hours and counting without power from the ice storm, and the Generac generator is working well." — Ian’s customer L.