SITUATION
Our system was impacted by severe storms last night, which brought down more than 100 poles and downed power lines across our service territory, including some large transmission lines.
Combined with impacts from the heat today, some of the remaining lines became overloaded and we have been forced to take customers in Columbus offline throughout this afternoon and this evening to protect the system and reduce the risk of longer, widespread outages.
Power outages are currently impacting approximately 169,000 customers in the Columbus area and 81,000 outside central Ohio.
We understand how uncomfortable and challenging this is for our customers, especially in the extreme heat. We have significant resources working to restore the lines that were damaged from the storms and will be working around the clock until we get power back to all customers. We continue to work with our local partners to establish cooling centers in impacted areas, which are marked on our outage map at AEPOhio.com/OutageMap.
Approximately 1,400 line, tree, assessor, contractor and support personnel are fully engaged with approximately 450 additional personnel on the way for tomorrow morning. In addition, drones and four helicopters have been working in the Upper Sandusky, Lexington, Cambridge, Wooster and Zanesville areas to assist in assessment efforts.
Please know we’re committed to providing regular updates. Hard-hit areas can expect a multiday outage, and inclement weather may cause further damage and additional outages.
RESTORATION UPDATES
Central Ohio
- Northeast Columbus – 11:59 p.m. Thursday
- Northwest Columbus – 11:59 p.m. Thursday
- Southeast Columbus – 11:59 p.m. Thursday
- Southwest Columbus – 11:59 p.m. Thursday
- Delaware – 3:30 p.m. tomorrow
Southeastern Ohio
- Athens – 3 p.m. tomorrow
- Crooksville – 1 p.m. tomorrow
- Marietta – 5 p.m. Thursday
- McConnelsville – 5 p.m. Thursday
- Pomeroy – 11:59 p.m. Thursday
Southern Ohio
- Chillicothe – Noon Friday
- Hillsboro – Noon tomorrow
- Lucasville – Noon Friday
- South Point – 10 p.m. today
- Wellston – Noon Friday
Eastern Ohio
- Belmont – 11 p.m. Friday
- Cambridge – 10 p.m. today
- Coshocton – 11 p.m. Saturday
- Mt. Vernon – 11:59 p.m. Friday
- Newark – 11:59 p.m. Thursday
- Zanesville – 4 p.m. Friday
Northeast Ohio
- Steubenville – 10 p.m. Thursday
- New Philadelphia – Assessment ongoing
- Wooster – Assessment ongoing
Northwest Ohio
- Bucyrus – 10 p.m. Thursday
- Findlay – 4 p.m. Thursday
- Kenton – 3 p.m. tomorrow
- Tiffin – 10 p.m. tomorrow
- Van Wert – 3 p.m. tomorrow
RESTORATION PROCESS
Essential services such as hospitals, fire and police stations and water treatment plants are our top priority. Damaged main lines are also being repaired to restore power to the largest number of customers. Crews then work to energize clusters of homes and businesses.
Once the main lines have been restored, crews then focus on restoring power to individual homes and businesses. This step often takes the most time as each repair affects only a few customers.
Read here for more about our restoration process.
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 responsibilities of a property owner and AEP Ohio here.
STAY CONNECTED
Updated restoration times will be shared as soon as they are available. Customers can receive the latest alerts and information by:
COOLING CENTERS
Cooling centers will be listed on our outage map as they become available.
SAFETY REMINDERS
- Never touch any downed wires or anything they may be touching. Please call us or 911 to report wires down.
- Please refrain from clearing tree debris from roadways as energized downed wires may be hidden under the vegetation.
- Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or debris within 10 feet of a power line.
- 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.
- For the health and safety of AEP Ohio crews, please stay at least 6 feet away from our employees, vehicles and equipment.
- Limbs, leaves and other objects moved by the wind could hide downed wires. Investigate your surroundings before trying to clean up any debris.
- Notify AEP Ohio if you’re using a generator. This protects you and our lineworkers as they work to restore power.
- Unplug major appliances to protect them when power is restored.
NEXT UPDATE
10 a.m. Wednesday