Lightning Strike Disrupts Operations at Richmond Landfill Scale House

News Summary

A severe lightning strike caused significant damage to the Richmond landfill scale house, temporarily disrupting services and impacting critical software systems. While repairs are being made, the landfill remains closed for industrial waste, although the Resource Recovery Center is still operational for households. Full operations are expected to resume soon, but financial implications are being assessed as the city grapples with the aftermath of the storm.

Lightning Strike Disrupts Operations at Richmond Landfill

On August 6, 2023, a lightning strike during stormy weather caused significant damage to the scale house of Richmond’s landfill, located at 5242 New Paris Pike. The strike not only affected the physical infrastructure but also led to malfunctions in the critical software used for weighing disposal loads.

Extent of Damage Assessed

City officials reported that the lightning hit the flagpole atop the scale house, leaving burn marks on the asphalt surrounding the facility. Several electronic systems that are essential for the operation of the landfill scale house, also referred to as a weigh station, experienced failures. According to Jeff Lohmoeller, the assistant director for the Richmond Sanitary District, the ground wire inside the panel box was burnt and required repairs. Although power has been restored to the scale house, many of the computer components may still be experiencing disruptions.

Repair Efforts Underway

The critical parts needed for repairs arrived the following day, on August 7, 2023. These components are essential for the billing aspect of the scale system. The affected software requires a complete reinstallation to ensure its functionality. By the afternoon of August 7, city officials were hopeful about determining whether the repairs would be sufficient to resume full operations by 4:30 PM.

Current Operational Status

As of 2:45 PM on August 7, both the scales and the internet/phone systems were reported operational. However, a call to the designated number on the city’s website did not connect, indicating that some systems might still be experiencing technical issues. Financial impacts due to the incident have not yet been evaluated, but it is anticipated that the city will face “a little bit of a hit” as a result of the damage.

Impact on Waste Disposal Services

Due to the ongoing repairs, the landfill is temporarily closed to all industrial, commercial, and construction waste disposal. Meanwhile, the Resource Recovery Center located at the same site continues to serve sanitary district customers. This center allows residents to dispose of household trash, yard waste, clean fill, and recyclables. The operating hours for the Resource Recovery Center are Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM; it remains closed on Sundays and holidays.

Expected Reopening

The scale house is anticipated to fully reopen for normal operations on August 8, 2023, following the completion of repairs. This reopening will allow the landfill to resume accepting the broad spectrum of waste, essential for maintaining the community’s waste management services.

The recent lightning strike serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather events and their potential impacts on local infrastructure. City officials will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that all systems are fully operational and safe for public use.

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Additional Resources

• Pal-Item: Lightning Strike Disrupts Operations at Richmond Landfill
• Axios: Lightning Strike Risk in Virginia
• WRIC: Lightning Strike Causes Apartment Fire
• Click2Houston: Richmond Family’s Apartment Destroyed
• Virginia Mercury: Linking Pollution with Lightning Strikes