WINDSOR—As of 4:45 p.m., 13,500 customers were without power in Western Tidewater due to Hurricane Irene.

Community Electric Cooperative as of 4:45 p.m. reported 5,000 customers without power.

“That’s fairly evenly distributed among customers in Suffolk and Isle of Wight and Southampton counties,” said President James Reynolds.

Reynolds said crews from as far away as Tennessee would be available to assist with the restoration effort Sunday. He estimated that it could take at least 2-3 days to restore power to all affected customers.

Customers in the Hunterdale area are without power because of the loss of a feeding line from Dominion to a substation, said Franklin Fire Capt. Tim Dunn. The city has about 400 other customers currently out as well. Dunn said crews would be out Sunday to restore power, but it could be as late as Monday before power is completely restored in Franklin.

Virginia Dominion Power reported 2,900 customers without power in Southampton County and 4,800 in Isle of Wight County around noon, said Brett Crable, director of customer solutions in Norfolk. There are currently no updated numbers from Dominion.

It’s not known when Dominion will begin restoring power.

“We’re at the point now that the heaviest winds are coming and it’s a safety issue about being out there,” Crable said.

Efforts will be focused on emergency public health issues, blocked roads and hospitals.

Once the storm has blown through on Sunday, damages will be assed and critical infrastructure will be taken are of first, he said.