Statewide: Storm restoration continues in various parts of our service territory. Fresh crews hit the ground early this morning, relieving those who worked overnight after another storm system brought additional power outages. 

Approximately 2,500 line, tree, contractor, assessor and support personnel continue working to restore power to AEP Ohio customers after severe storms across the state earlier this week. As of 1:00 p.m. today, less than 19,500 customers remain without power across the state. Lightning and winds in excess of 75 miles per hour brought down more than 350 poles and 2,100 spans of wire across our service territory. In remaining hard-hit areas, drones and helicopters continue to be used to assess damage.

Belmont Area Outages: A new storm system moved through the area yesterday evening. Crews worked through the night to assess damage and are estimating a restoration time of 11:00 p.m. tomorrow, June 18.

Wooster, New Philadelphia and Mt. Vernon Area Outages: Wooster, New Philadelphia and Mt. Vernon were the hardest hit areas after the severe storm earlier this week. Additional crews are being sent to all three areas, with more than 420 field personnel on the ground in Wooster and 200 in New Philadelphia — working to restore power. 

Due to the extensive damage, restoration times for Mt. Vernon and Wooster have been revised. Mt. Vernon is expected to be 90% restored by noon on June 19. We expect to have updated restoration times for the Wooster area tomorrow morning. Customers should prepare for a multi-day outage. 

 

RESTORATION + DAMAGE UPDATES

Belmont (80% assessed) Estimated Restoration Time: 6/18/2022 11:00 p.m.

• 20 broken poles

• 55 spans of wire down

 

Cambridge (40% assessed) Estimated Restoration Time: 6/17/2022 10:00 p.m.

• 0 broken poles

• 3 spans of wire down

 

Coshocton (80% assessed) Estimated Restoration Time: 6/18/2022 11:00 p.m.

• 15 broken poles

• 125 spans of wire down

 

Marietta Estimated Restoration Time: 6/17/2022 11:59 p.m.

• 8 broken poles

• 70 spans of wire down

 

Mt. Vernon (70% assessed) Estimated Restoration Time: 90% restored on 6/19/2022 12:00 p.m.

• 42 broken poles

• 150 spans of wire down

 

New Philadelphia (99% assessed) Estimated Restoration Time: 6/18/2022 11:00 p.m.

• 38 broken poles

• 150 spans of wire down

 

Wooster (80% assessed) Estimated Restoration Time: TBD

• 125 broken poles

• 550 spans of wire down

 

Zanesville (85% assessed) Estimated Restoration Time: 6/17/2022 4:00 p.m.

• 18 broken poles

• 90 spans of wire down

 

Restoration Complete

 

Athens

• 4 broken poles

• 100 spans of wire down

 

Bucyrus

• 10 broken poles

• 30 spans of wire down

 

Chillicothe 

• 9 broken poles

• 120 spans of wire down

 

Columbus

• 12 broken poles

• 41 spans of wire down

 

Crooksville

• 50 spans of wire down

 

Delaware

• 4 broken poles

• 40 spans of wire down

 

 

 

Findlay

• 17 broken poles

• 30 spans of wire down

 

Kenton

• 15 broken poles

• 20 spans of wire down

 

Lima

• 0 broken poles

• 120 spans of wire down

 

Hillsboro

• 1 broken pole

• 15 spans of wire down

 

Lancaster

• 20 spans of wire down

 

Lucasville

• 11 broken poles

• 175 spans of wire down

 

McConnelsville

• 6 broken poles

• 70 spans of wire down

 

Newark

• 15 broken poles

• 17 spans of wire down

 

Pomeroy

• 9 broken poles

• 250 spans of wire down

 

Seaman

• 2 broken poles

• 20 spans of wire down

 

 

South Point

• 1 broken pole

• 8 spans of wire down

 

Steubenville

• 6 broken poles

• 110 spans of wire down

 

Tiffin

• 8 broken poles

• 10 spans of wire down

 

Van Wert

• 5 broken poles

• 15 spans of wire down

 

Wellston 

• 17 broken poles

• 130 spans of wire down

 

 

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.

 

REPAIRS & BILL ASSISTANCE 

-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.

-If customers are experiencing financial hardship, we can work together to find the right option. Additional information can be found at AEPOhio.com/Assistance or by reaching out to AEP Ohio on Facebook or Twitter.

-Financial Contribution to Provide Assistance to Franklin County Residents We’re partnering with various organizations in Franklin County, including Columbus Urban League, IMPACT Community Action, Lifecare Alliance and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, and will provide a financial contribution of $1 million funded by the AEP Ohio Fund of the Columbus Foundation that will be used to help relieve financial burdens these residents experienced as a result of this highly unique event. The AEP Ohio Fund and the AEP Foundation have consistently supported non-profits that are providing support to our customers and communities. In addition to the assistance opportunities created by the donation, residents also can seek assistance related to storm impacts through:

- Franklin County Job and Family Service Food Assistance Program

- Expanded Neighbor to Neighbor Program to help with electric bills (Open June 20 to all eligible AEP Ohio customers)

- More information can be found at AEPOhioWire.com/columbus-area-power-outages-faqs. 

 

STAY CONNECTED

Updated restoration times will be shared as soon as they are available. Customers can receive the latest alerts and information by:

- Downloading the AEP Ohio mobile app: AEPOhio.com/App

- Signing up for text alerts: AEPOhio.com/Alerts

- Visiting AEPOhio.com/OutageMap 

- Following AEP Ohio on Facebook and Twitter

 

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.