STORM DESCRIPTION:
Damaging, gusting winds of up to more than 60 miles per hour blew through our service territory overnight into the morning. Winds took down trees and power lines, causing more than 44,000 customers to be without power at the height of the windstorm around 7 a.m. Hardest hit areas were in central and northeastern Ohio.
RESTORATION STATUS:
Crews continue to assess damage caused by the gusting winds and are beginning to make repairs where it’s safe to do so. As winds continue across the state, outages continue to come in.
Additional crews from other areas in the state are being brought in to help with restoration efforts. As of 11 a.m., more than 23,000 customers have had power restored. Crews anticipate working through tomorrow to restore additional customers.
Essential services like hospitals, fire and police stations, and water treatment plants are the first priority. Crews will then work to restore service to the largest number of customers as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible. Next, crews will move to other clusters of homes and businesses needing to be restored. Any individual homes still without power will be repaired to complete restoration to the area.
For the health and safety of AEP Ohio crews, please stay at least 6 feet away from our employees, vehicles and equipment.
STAYING CONNECTED:
Updated restoration times will be shared as soon as they are available. Customers can receive the latest alerts and information by:
DAMAGE & REPAIRS:
Homeowners are responsible for electrical equipment attached to their house. If any equipment was damaged during the windstorm, it’s important to contact a licensed electrician to make repairs before AEP Ohio can safely restore power. Learn more about the restoration process and responsibilities of a property owner and AEP Ohio here.
SAFETY TIPS:
- Stay away from any downed wires and report any hazards through the AEP Ohio mobile app, call 911 or AEP Ohio at (800) 672-2231.
- Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or debris within 10 feet of a power line.
- Limbs, leaves and other objects moved by the wind could hide downed wires. Trees damaged by wind could fall or drop broken limbs. Investigate your surroundings before trying to clean up any debris.
- AEP Ohio tree crews do not remove cut trees or limbs during storm restoration. They work to safely clear trees from lines and equipment and move to the next location as quickly as possible to allow line crews to restore power. In these instances, property owners are responsible for removing tree debris.
- Be sure to check on the elderly, people with medical conditions and families with young children.
- If you use a portable or RV generator, do not plug the generator into your circuit box. Portable generators “backfeed” electricity up the line and risk the lives of repair workers and the public. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions carefully, and plug essential appliances directly into the generator.
- Watch for utility workers and first responders on or near the side of the road and slow down near any work areas.
- Traffic lights may not be functioning. Treat all such intersections as four-way stops.
- Minimize or eliminate opening your refrigerator or your freezer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if the doors stay closed, food will stay safe for up to four hours in a refrigerator, 48 hours in a full freezer and 24 hours in a half-full freezer.
- If your power is out, make sure your stove and oven are turned off.