Appalachian Power issues storm response update following severe thunderstorms Thursday
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Crews with Appalachian Power Company were out Thursday addressing sweeping power outages caused by severe thunderstorms across the southern coalfields.
Robert Fields | WVOW News
CHARLESTON By 11:45 a.m., Appalachian Power says the total number of reported outages had climbed to approximately 14,700 customers.
Estimated restoration times range from the evening hours Thursday to approximately 11:00 p.m. on Friday.
Outages are expected to rise throughout Thursday as storms continue to impact parts of the electric grid across the Appalachian region.
As of the most recent update, around 12,400 customers in West Virginia are without electric service. The counties experiencing the most outages include Jackson with about 1,120 customers affected, Logan with 1,250, Mason with 2,630, Mercer with 1,600, Mingo with 1,900, Raleigh with 2,275, and Wyoming with 1,100.
Moreover, there are about 1,700 customers without electric service in Tennessee and Virginia.
The utility company’s Storm Response Team continues to closely monitor weather conditions. APCo says the team is committed to restoring power to affected customers as safely and quickly as possible. The company also says it proactively prepared for potential outages by placing all employees and business partners on alert and ready to respond. To support restoration efforts, additional personnel from surrounding states were called in to assist local crews.
Damage assessments are underway, according to Appalachian Power, and crews continue to restore power where conditions allow.
As a point of safety, the utility asks customers to treat any downed power lines as though they are live and potentially lethal. Keep a safe distance of any downed lines, never touch downed or sparking equipment and keep children and pets away from fallen lines and anything the lines may touch.
Appalachian Power says another storm response update is expected in the 5:00 hour.
PHOTO | MGN