SITUATION UPDATE
A severe storm crossed Ohio yesterday (April 29, 2025), causing outages for about 72,000 AEP Ohio customers at the peak. As of 11 a.m. today, (April 30) about 40,000 customers remain without power. More than 2,000 field personnel are working to repair equipment, clear debris and restore power.
AEP Ohio has requested help from out-of-state crews, and personnel from neighboring states have joined restoration efforts. Eastern Ohio, including areas around Steubenville, Coshocton and New Philadelphia, as well as Canton, was hit hardest by the storm. Peak wind gusts reached 70 mph in some areas and caused significant damage to our equipment.
The severity of the damage and challenging terrain have made it difficult to reach and repair damaged equipment. As a result, crews are using helicopters, drones and specialized equipment to help more quickly assess damage and restore power.
FAQS
- What can affect restoration times?
- There are many factors that can affect the restoration process including but not limited to the amount and type of equipment on a pole, the number of poles broken, if specialized equipment is needed to access a pole location and how much tree debris needs to be removed to access equipment safely. Whenever possible, crews work to transfer as many customers as possible to an alternate power source while repairs are being made.
- If I see crews out working, can they update me on when power will be restored?
- While we understand customers without power want the latest on restoration efforts, work zones can have many hazardous conditions, so it is important to keep your distance from crews while they are working. This also allows them to stay focused on the job at hand and ensures everyone’s safety. AEP Ohio sends text alerts and provides outages updates on its web site and via social media. Sign up for alerts at AEPOhio.com/Alerts or visit AEPOhio.com/OutageMap.
- After a storm, can I be reimbursed for outage-related damages?
- We recommend checking your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy or contacting your insurance agent. In general, we are not responsible for damages caused by natural occurrences.
CONTINUED SAFETY REMINDERS
- If you encounter any downed lines, stay as far away from them as possible and anything they may be touching. Call 911 or AEP Ohio at 800-672-2231 immediately to report potential hazards.
- Check your local forecast for the latest updates on timing and intensity.
- Investigate your surroundings before trying to clean up any debris. Limbs, leaves and other objects moved by the wind could hide downed lines. Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or debris within 10 feet of a power line.
- Unplug major appliances to protect them when power is restored.
STAY CONNECTED
AEP Ohio is committed to keeping customers informed at all times, but especially during severe weather. We encourage customers to:
- Sign up for text message updates: Visit AEPOhio.com/Alerts to receive updates about outages and estimated restoration times.
- Visit AEPOhio.com, including AEPOhio.com/OutageMap, throughout the duration of the event to learn more about where the power is out and when it might be restored.
- Follow AEP Ohio on Facebook and X for updates about storm restoration efforts.
Make sure we have your most recent contact information at AEPOhio.com/Account.