More than 98% of customers are back in power following the weekend wind storm. (Approximately 75,000 customers lost power at the height of the event.) As restoration has wrapped up elsewhere, crews from around the state have been converging today on the hardest hit areas of Canton and northwest Ohio.
In Upper Sandusky, fewer than 75 people remain without power; however, the damage there was extensive and repairs will continue through tomorrow before power is restored to all.
In the Canton area, 42 AEP Ohio two-man crews and 80 contract crews traveled there today to help with restoration. In total, more than 900 field personnel are working to make repairs. As of 2:30 p.m., approximately 1,000 customers remain without power.
With damage now fully assessed across our service territory, final counts are in: 1,182 spans of wire down (that’s 51.2 miles – nearly half of which was in the Canton area) and 176 broken poles (62 in the Canton area). Assessors also reported 101 broken crossarms and 52 damaged transformers.
As we enter into the final stages of this weather event, we continue to appreciate our customers’ kind words and patience.
ESTIMATED RESTORATION TIMES
As work continues, more precise restoration information will be available for individual outages. Customers are encouraged to sign up for text alerts or download the AEP Ohio mobile app for the latest updates. They can also visit AEPOhio.com/OutageMap.
Many customers in the following areas will be restored before these times:
- New Philadelphia — 10 p.m. today
- Canton — 3 p.m. Tuesday
- Upper Sandusky — 5 p.m. Tuesday
CONTINUED SAFETY REMINDERS
- Stay away from any downed wires. Call 911 and report any hazards through the AEP Ohio mobile app or by calling AEP Ohio at (800) 672-2231.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly, have small children or have a medical condition.
- Investigate your surroundings before trying to clean up any debris. Tree limbs, leaves and other objects moved by the wind could hide downed wires. Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or debris within 10 feet of a power line.
- Notify AEP Ohio if you’re using a generator. This protects you and our lineworkers as they work to restore power.
- Never operate lanterns, heaters or fuel-fired stoves without proper ventilation.
- Unplug major appliances to protect them when power is restored.
- Refuel heaters, lamps and generators outside and away from any flames or sparks. Wipe up spilled fuel immediately.
- Never burn charcoal indoors — it releases poisonous carbon monoxide.
STAY CONNECTED
Customers can receive the latest alerts and information and should:
NEXT UPDATE
This will be the final update for this storm. Customers should use the channels listed above to receive additional updates.