Squall Line Winds Leave Over 100,000 Without Power in Virginia
A powerful squall line swept through central and western Virginia on Monday, August 10, 2026, causing widespread power outages and damage. Nearly 115,000 utility customers were left without power, with the hardest-hit areas including Albemarle County, where over 16,000 outages were reported, and the city of Lynchburg, which saw more than 7,000 outages. Wind gusts reached severe levels, with Roanoke’s airport recording a peak gust of 59.8 mph (96.3 km/h) at 4:37 p.m. EDT. The squall line maintained its strength as it moved eastward, while areas west of the New River Valley experienced only minor impacts. Numerous reports of downed trees and utility lines were recorded across the region. The storm system also extended into central West Virginia, continuing to cause disruptions.