Appalachian Power making progress on sweeping outages following winter storm

American Electric Power subsidiary Appalachian Power Company has been working around the clock with the help of mutual assistance crews to restore power to customers across its three-state jurisdiction following the devastating effects of Winter Storm Fern.

Robert Fields | WVOW News

WEST VIRGINIA Crews with Appalachian Power have been working around the clock to restore power to thousands following the effects of Winter Storm Fern.

As of Tuesday morning, less than 10,000 Appalachian Power customers remain without power across the company’s three-state service area. On Monday, high winds in southern counties hindered drone and helicopter assessments for most of the day. That, combined with dangerous road conditions, have delayed restoration times.

The response in Kanawha County has been massive; the number of reported outages has dropped from over 14,000 to just over 3,500. The estimated restoration time there is 11:00 Wednesday night. Lincoln County still reports 825 customers without power, with a restoration time estimated shortly after 11:00 tonight. Boone County reports 200 outages and some stray outages remain in Logan, Wayne, Mingo, Wyoming and Fayette counties.

Appalachian Power advises residents to stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them, including tree limbs, fences or vehicles. If a life-threatening hazard is present, call 9-1-1. Non-emergency hazards can be reported directly to the power utility by calling 800-956-4237.

Dangerously cold temperatures are expected to continue through Wednesday into Thursday morning. Wind chills could plunge temperatures into the negatives, according to the Logan County Office of Emergency Management. Logan County OEM Director Roger Bryant says the Logan County Resource Center at the former 84 Lumber location on Peach Creek is open as a warming center. Additional warming centers are on standby at the Tracy Vickers Community Center in Chapmanville and at the Town of Man Volunteer Fire Department. Emergency crews are asking residents to check in on neighbors, especially the elderly or those without adequate heat. For assistance, residents can call Logan County 911’s non-emergency line at 304-752-7662.

In Mingo County, Appalachian Power says the Williamson Fire Department is serving as a warming shelter. Warming shelters in Wyoming County include Huff Consolidated Elementary, the Hanover Fire Department, Pineville Middle School, Upper Laurel Fire Department and Oceana Middle School. In Lincoln County, a shelter has been put in place at The Nancy in Hamlin.

PHOTO | File