About 80 percent of power has been restored in Enfield after a storm knocked out the electrical grid Saturday afternoon.
Today, Mayor W. Mondale Robinson declared a state of emergency. “The storm has caused significant disruption to our electrical infrastructure, impacting the ability of residents and businesses to access essential services,” the declaration said. “The situation poses a risk to public safety and well-being, especially for vulnerable populations reliant on electrical power for medical needs, heating, cooling and communication.”
Robinson said the state of emergency will remain in effect until further notice. “During this time, town officials will take all necessary actions to restore power, ensure public safety, and provide assistance to affected residents and businesses.”
Photos courtesy Enfield Police Department
He said, “We urge all residents to remain calm, stay informed, and cooperate with emergency responders and town officials as we work to address this situation. We will issue directives as they develop. Please do not inundate our county and state partner organizations with calls as this may slow down the necessary resources to address our town’s concerns.”
Police Chief Jerry Shoemaker said this afternoon that out of six circuits, five are up and running. “They’re working diligently to try and get the last circuit running.”
He said there was a part that was missing and the town is working in conjunction with Dominion to get the necessary part.
In the meantime, Enfield Middle School has been opened as a shelter and will remain open this evening.
Shoemaker said there has been an outpouring of assistance from Lady Shanetta Pittman, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, and Market Plus, as well others.
Pittman had McDonald’s in Rocky Mount donate 100 biscuits and today she was handing out hot plates.
“They’ve been very instrumental in giving out food plates for the last couple of days to people who might be hungry,” he said. “We at the police department are telling the public that if they want to donate any water, those kinds of things, to those shut-ins and elderly we can disseminate those items.”
Shoemaker said the outage has taken a toll on town residents. “With it being hot, food thawing out and the loss of food.”
He said Robinson has already been in contact with Governor Josh Stein and Congressman Don Davis’s office has been in contact with the police department. “We’ve had local churches call and ask how they can help. I said we need bottled water, non-perishable snacks.”
And, he said, the Halifax County Sheriff's Office has been instrumental in assisting with calls.
Shoemaker said the middle school, with Red Cross personnel in place, is also serving as a place where people can charge their phones.
