Snake Leaves Over 11,000 People in the Dark After Reptile Cuts Power By Touching Transformer

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock image of an eastern yellow rat snake.Photo:Getty

Getty

One snake just left a few neighborhoods out of power.

Dominion Energy officials said a snake caused a power outage affecting about 11,700 customers on Saturday, Aug. 10, in Virginia — in areas around Kiln Creek, central Newport News, and Christopher Newport University — per13 NBC News,WTKR,UPIand10 WAVY.

The snake caused the outage when it slithered into a high-voltage area and then came into contact with a transformer. Around 9:15 p.m., there were just over 6,000 outages, per 10 WAVY.

The breed of the snake responsible has not been identified. However, eastern garter snakes and eastern rat snakes are both native to Virginia.

Stock image of a garter snake slithering over rock.Getty

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In May, there werefour snake-induced power outagesnear Nashville. Throughout the month, several snakes found their way into the Henpeck substation in Franklin, Tenn.

In Tennessee, the snakes were mostly identified as gray rat snakes. They found their way into the substations and their powered equipment, causing the equipment to short out.

At the time,Middle Tennessee Electric(MTE) emailed customers, declaring the situation “unprecedented” and “very unusual.” MTE communications and marketing director Larry Rose said the substation’s advanced equipment typically deters animal interference.

Rose further explained the rarity of the situation in a separate interview withWKRN, adding, “One of the managers I have talked to said he has been on the job for 20 years and probably had two [snakes] that he can remember, and we’ve had four in eight days.”

Stock image of a eastern garter snake.Getty

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A representative for Dominion Energy did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

source: people.com