Through our continuing rebuilding efforts, AEP Ohio has
restored power to approximately 88 percent of the approximately 660,000
customers affected by the catastrophic storm that moved through the
state June 29 and the additional customers who lost power in subsequent
storms July 4 and 5.
As of 5:00 p.m. today, power has been restored to approximately 581,000
of the customers affected by these storms. Approximately 79,000 AEP Ohio
customers remain without power this afternoon.
Restoration continues to proceed well, and we anticipate 90 to 95
percent of our customers affected by last Friday's storm will have their
service restored by 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
The majority of the customers still without power are located in the
central and southeastern Ohio Columbus, Newark and Athens service areas.
These areas include Athens, Fairfield, Franklin, Guernsey, Hocking,
Jackson, Knox, Licking, Meigs, Muskingum, Perry and Washington counties.
In central Ohio, approximately 15,000 remain without power in Franklin
County and 12,000 in Licking County. At the peak, approximately 45
percent of AEP Ohio’s 1.4 million customers were without power.
Approximately 683 transmission poles were damaged across Ohio,including
443 wood poles that were downed between Van Wert and Ottawa in western
Ohio.An additional 35 poles had to be replaced across the state. All are
being replaced with steel poles.
These structures are the base support for the transmission line circuits
that traverse the state. At the peak of the storms, approximately 128
transmissions circuits -- primarily 69-kV and high-voltage 138-kV lines
-- were knocked out of service due to trees, downed lines and equipment
and extensive damage to structures. Approximately 9 remain out of
service.
These transmission lines feed power to substations that provide power to
communities and neighborhoods. Service to approximately 306 substations
was interrupted by these line outages. Tonight, service has been
restored to all but three co-op stations in northwest Ohio.
AEP Ohio continues to work around the clock to restore service to
customers as safely and quickly as possible. As crews finish work in one
area they are being shifted to help in other areas still being restored.
To date, restoration workers have replaced more than 1,020 distribution
poles across the state.
This includes nearly 2,000 internal and 2,500 external outside line
resources and support personnel working to repair and rebuild AEP Ohio’s
damaged electric system. This includes more than 590 internal and
external transmission personnel concentrating on reconstructing downed
transmission facilities across the state.
Customers are reminded they should continue to check up on their family
and neighbors still without power to make sure they are safe. If an
emergency health situation arises, the public should call 911.
