COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than 75,000 AEP Ohio customers were left without power after a severe storm left behind strong winds Saturday.
Wind gusts ramped up through the day with peak speeds reaching 55+ mph.
AEP Ohio wrote in a Facebook post that outages picked up across the state Saturday afternoon, with saturated ground and high winds bringing down trees and snapping poles.
Nearly 2,000 line, tree, contractor, assessor and support personnel are working to restore power throughout the state, according to AEP Ohio.
Crews from as far as Texas came to Ohio to assist in power restoration efforts.
The areas that were hit the hardest were northwest and northeast Ohio.
AEP Ohio's estimated restoration times are listed below:
- New Philadelphia — 10 p.m. today
- Canton — 3 p.m. Tuesday
- Upper Sandusky — 5 p.m. Tuesday
For the list of power outages, visit AEP Ohio's outage map here.
AEP has offered the following tips on how to stay prepared and handle a possible outage:
- Put together an emergency kit that includes non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a radio, first aid kit, medications, portable chargers, extra cash and maps of the surrounding area.
- Keep away from downed wires and report hazards through the AEP Ohio mobile app, call 911 and AEP Ohio at (800) 672-2231.
- Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or debris within 10 feet of a power line.
- Limbs, leaves and other objects moved by the wind and ice build-up could hide downed wires. Investigate your surroundings before trying to clean up any debris.
- 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.
- For the health and safety of AEP Ohio crews, please stay at least 6 feet away from our employees, vehicles and equipment.
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