By CATHY DYSON
Heat pumps and air conditioners, computers and TVs, and stoves and refrigerators in almost 200 homes in Fairview Beach may have gotten zapped by a power surge Saturday morning.
A private contractor was cutting down a tree at a home on 10th Street when the tree hit a power line, said Dominion Virginia Power spokesman Dan Genest.
The impact knocked out power to about 24 homes, but caused a power surge that ran through the Potomac River community in King George County.
Dominion didn't know how many homes were affected, but said 196 customers are on the same circuit.
"It could be all of them [affected] or it could be only two," Genest said.
Tom Hudson, president of the Fairview Beach Residents Association, started talking with other residents after the 9 a.m. surge.
He guessed it damaged about 120 of the estimated 300 homes in Fairview Beach.
"It burnt up a TV, stereo and telephone in my house, and then my neighbor across the road had a brand new widescreen TV and it cooked that," he said.
Hudson heard about damage that ranged from a computer in one home to every appliance in another.
Those affected by the surge can call Dominion's customer service line to report their claims. That number is 888/667-3000.
An e-mail from the residents' association also suggested people call the King George Sheriff's Office. About 20 people called yesterday, said Capt. Steve Dempsey. Some homeowners' insurance policies require residents to report damages to the local police, he said.
Herb Cover, another member of the residents group, said people are expecting some kind of compensation because the tree contractor who caused the incident is bonded.
Dominion's spokesman said he didn't know if the utility company would cover the damage.
Hudson said it took several hours for residents to figure out the surge was widespread.
"There was no way to put it all together until people started walking around and talking," he said. "The power goes off so much down here, we didn't know if a tree had fallen in the woods or what had happened."
Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com