Kentucky Power Ice Storms Response
Tuesday, February 23, 10:30 a.m.
Situation
Kentucky Power crews are continuing to address power outages in our service territory using more than 2,000 line employees, foresters and assessors to ensure every customer is restored. Paralyzing weather events that included two back-to-back ice storms followed by snow caused extensive damage to electrical facilities and more than 59,000 customers to lose power at the peak.
Storm response efforts
Approximately 6,445 customers remain without power on Tuesday morning mostly in Boyd County with 2,370 customers out; Carter County with 1,582 customers out and Lawrence County with 2,261 customers out. Kentucky Power has completed restoration to approximately 89% of customers who have been part of the February ice and snow events. Today, crews are addressing remaining outages in all areas still affected. Improved weather should help expedite repairs.
There are hundreds of outage cases or places crews still have to address. In these areas the work is very difficult and time-consuming re-construction or repairs that bring power back for very few customers at a time. There are hundreds of individual outage cases that have to be worked and the majority of these cases will restore power to 10 or fewer customers, including for customers unfortunately who have been out since the first storm. Kentucky Power has also been using strike teams made up of workers with specific and broad skills in order to quickly and safely restore simpler outages without waiting for additional assistance.
Estimated Restoration Information
The southern part of Carter County is proving to be the hardest hit area where crews have found extensive damage to circuits. Most customers in the Hitchins, Big Sandy, Williard, Denton and Coalton areas will have power restored before or by the end of the week.
In Boyd and Lawrence Counties, it is expected that most customers or 95% will be restored by Wednesday, February 24 or sooner. There are pockets of outages that will still remain beyond that date and restoration work in these areas continues. Restoration for some of these remaining outlying areas of these counties may extend through the end of the week.
Customers in the Morehead and Olive Hills area will be Wednesday, February 24 or sooner. A few small pockets of customers may extend through end of the week.
Other counties affected by the storms, are at least 95% restored. Small outages may still exist in those areas and crews are continuing to address. New outages that come in unrelated to the storm could see an extended restoration time.
Customers are urged to call 1-800-572-1113 to get the most up-to-date and more specific estimated restoration information.
Customer Information:
Residential/Business Service Drop Information: Kentucky Power cannot connect power to any home or business where there is damage to the service entrance. The service entrance is the area located 1) at the meter, 2) between the meter and the home’s electrical panel, or 3) the location where Kentucky Power’s cable connects to the home/business owner’s cable. Customers need to have a qualified electrician repair this damage before power can be restored to the home or business.
Safety Message
Do not go near any downed wires. Consider all wires live and dangerous even if you think they are phone or cable. Report hazardous situations immediately by call 1-800-572-1113 or 911.
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. Information also is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KentuckyPower and on Twitter at twitter.com/KentuckyPower or @KentuckyPower.
Next Update: Tuesday, February 23, 6:30 p.m.
