Kentucky Power Storm Update
Wednesday, April 15, 10 a.m.
Summary
Damage assessment and restoration will continue for the next several days following the severe storm that hit eastern Kentucky late Sunday night, April 12. At the peak, 62,449 customers lost power in the southern part of the Kentucky Power territory.
Storm Response Efforts
More than 1,000 company and business partners are responding to restore power. Crews from AEP sister companies and from other utilities across several states are in the area to assist. Some areas are not truck-accessible and are in mountainous, rugged terrain, meaning crews are carrying equipment and walking/climbing to areas that need repaired. Clear weather over the next few days will be helpful as restoration continues.
Kentucky Power works to restore power using the most efficient means possible. First, crews address outage cases that affect hospitals, emergency services, public safety facilities, public buildings, emergency shelters and other public utilities. After that, crews address residential and business/commercial customers. Outages that affect higher numbers of customers without power are typically addressed before outages affecting fewer customers. The idea is to restore service to the greatest number of customers as quickly as possible. Consequently, outage cases that affect small groups or single customers are addressed later in the restoration effort. Power restoration crews work until all customers have power restored.
As crews are out making repairs, the damage numbers continue to climb and some sections of the distribution grid are being rebuilt:
- 180 broken power poles, with damage to associated equipment. And this number is expected to climb.
- More than 500 of spans of distribution wire damaged. In addition, 18 large spans of transmission wires damaged and nearly half of those are repaired.
- Fifteen substations lost their transmission feed but all have been restored as of this morning. This is an important step that allows crews to make repairs along the circuits, ultimately restoring power to customers.
Outages and Estimated Restoration
Nearly 60 percent or approximately 37,000 customers have been restored. Nearly 26,0000 customers remain without power.
Thousands of customers will have power restored over the next several days, but restoration for some could extend into early next week. Specific estimated restoration times will be available as more damage is assessed.
The following counties are experiencing the majority of the outages:
- 291 customers in Breathitt County (Jackson, Haddix and surrounding areas)
- 1,993 customers in Floyd County (Bypro, Martin, Weeksbury, Wheelwright and surrounding areas)
- 4,167 customers in Knott County (Hindman, Pippa Passes, Topmost, Pine Top and surrounding areas)
- 4,676 customers in Leslie County (Hyden, Wooten, Stinnett and surrounding areas)
- 4,847 customers in Letcher County (Isom, Whitesburg and surrounding areas)
- 6,024 customers in Perry (Hazard, Chavies and surrounding areas)
- 4,600 customers in Pike County (South Pikeville, Shelbiana, Raccoon, Virgie, South Williamson, Phelps, McCarr, McAndrews and surrounding areas)
For More Information
Customers can report outages and check the latest restoration information for their account anytime at kentuckypower.com/outages or by downloading the Kentucky Power mobile app at kentuckypower.com/app. The outage map is updated every 15 minutes. Restoration information is added when known. Click on “View Outage Map” to access the map on a computer, cell phone, or tablet. Customers can report outages online, on their mobile device or to our Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113.
Customers also can get specific information about outages via text message and/or email by subscribing to Kentucky Power outage alerts. To sign up, please visit www.kentuckypower.com/alerts. Information also is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KentuckyPowerand on Twitter at twitter.com/KentuckyPower or @KentuckyPower.
Safety Messages:
For everyone’s health and safety with the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, please do not approach power company personnel in the field. It is important to maintain physical distancing, remaining at least six feet away. Stopping crews who are working in your area also slows down progress.
High winds can cause fallen trees and downed power lines. Kentucky Power warns customers to be aware of broken limbs and branches and to stay away from all downed lines. Never touch downed power lines no matter how harmless they look. It can be difficult to distinguish between a power line and a cable or telephone line. All downed lines should be considered energized and dangerous. Also, never touch anything in contact with the line, such as trees, fences or puddles of water, since they can conduct electricity. Keep children and pets away from this potential hazard. Call Kentucky Power at 1-800-572-1113 to report hazards.
Customer Information
Customers are reminded that during storm restoration situations, Kentucky Power tree crews clear rights of way of trees and move on to the next location. Kentucky Power does not return to remove the cut trees. Property owners are responsible for removal. Kentucky Power asks for your patience and understanding during the restoration process
Next Update: April 15, 7 p.m.
