AEP crews from several different states worked to restore power to thousands of Ohioans on Monday after storms caused widespread problems.
Crews from Alabama, Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan and Oklahoma were called in to help with the problems, 10TV’s Shayla Reaves reported. Emergency crews were working 16-hour shifts as they work to repair damaged power poles.
AEP officials said that police, fire and emergency facilities take first priority for power restoration.
Once power is restored to emergency services, crews focus on restoring power where it will help the most people, Reaves reported.
Rachel Hammer, of AEP, said that more than 4,000 AEP employees were working around the state to assist customers without power.
Estimated “Event” restoration times by affected area:
Note: All times are for 90 percent restoration
Athens Area
Gallipolis: Midnight July 6
Lancaster: Midnight July 7
Marietta: Midnight July 6
Pomeroy: Midnight July 6
Wellston: Midnight July 10
Canton Area
Coshocton: Midnight July 5
New Philadelphia: Noon July 1
Chillicothe Area
Chillicothe: Midnight July 5
Chesapeake: Midnight July 4
Hillsboro: Midnight July 2
Ironton: Midnight July 4
Portsmouth: Midnight July 5
Columbus Area
Delaware: Midnight July 2
Northeast: Midnight July 8
Northwest: Midnight July 7
Southeast: Midnight July 6
Southwest: Midnight July 3
Newark Area
All areas: Midnight July 8
Ohio Valley Area
Belmont: Midnight July 4
Steubenville: Midnight July 2
Wheeling: Midnight July 6
Western Ohio Area
Bucyrus: Midnight July 3
Findlay: Midnight July 7
Kenton: Midnight July 3
Lima: Midnight July 7
Ottawa: Midnight July 7
Upper Sandusky: Midnight July 3
Van Wert: Midnight July 7
Storms on Sunday night left 20,000 customers without electricity while crews worked to fix earlier outages. In all, about 423,000 customers remained without power early Monday morning in the southern two-thirds of the state as temperatures were expected to climb into the 90s.
President Barack Obama has declared a federal emergency in Ohio after Gov. John Kasich asked for help. Kasich declared a state emergency and called out the National Guard.
Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are working with state officials and relief workers to determine the biggest needs.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for the latest storm recovery information.