UPDATE MONDAY MORNING FEB 25
Kentucky Power Storm Update
Monday, February 25, 2019 – 11 a.m.
Summary
Kentucky Power is continuing its work to restore outages caused by Sunday’s winds with gusts that reached 51 mph in some areas. Power has been restored to about 75 percent of 9,100 affected customers. Crews have faced mudslides, rockslides and high water that has blocked access. Trees have toppled, bringing down power lines. Multiple poles and cross arms are broken. Both distribution and transmission equipment has been damaged.
Storm Response Efforts
While the strongest winds have subsided across much of eastern Kentucky, some wind remains. Soft, wet soils from the recent rain combined with the remaining windy conditions could lead to additional outages even as older outages are restored. The saturated ground contributes to mudslides and allows trees to fall more easily onto power lines, leading to broken poles. Some areas continue to be blocked by high water, especially in areas served by the Pikeville District.
About 360 Kentucky Power employees and contractors are working to assess damage, make repairs and restore service. Kentucky Power expects to have the majority of customers served by the Hazard and Whitesburg districts on by 4 p.m. Monday. Most customers served by the Pikeville District should have service restored late Monday night, while the majority of affected customers served by the Ashland District may not have service until late Tuesday because of 16 broken poles in difficult to reach areas. More detailed estimated power restoration times should be available later Monday. Outages in some remote areas could extend beyond Tuesday.
Outages
As of 11 a.m. Monday, about 2,300 customers remained without power.
- Boyd, 233
- Breathitt, 15
- Carter, 42
- Floyd, 269
- Greenup, 133
- Johnson, 161
- Knott, 17
- Lawrence, 329
- Leslie, 13
- Letcher, 33
- Lewis, 10
- Magoffin, 18
- Martin, 26
- Owsley, 16
- Perry, 25
- Pike, 1,031
For More Information
Customers can report outages and check the latest restoration information for their accountanytime at kentuckypower.com/outages or by downloading the Kentucky Power mobile app atkentuckypower.com/app. The outage map is updated every 15 minutes. Restoration information is added when known. Click on “View Outage Map” to access the map on a computer, cell phone, or tablet. Customers can report outages online, on their mobile device or to our Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113.
Customers also can get specific information about outages via text message and/or email by subscribing to Kentucky Power outage alerts. To sign up, please visit www.kentuckypower.com/alerts. Information also is posted on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/KentuckyPower and on Twitter at twitter.com/KentuckyPower or @KentuckyPower.
Safety Message
High winds can cause fallen trees and downed power lines. Kentucky Power warns customers to be aware of broken limbs and branches and to stay away from all downed lines. Never touch downed power lines no matter how harmless they look. It can be difficult to distinguish between a power line and a cable or telephone line. All downed lines should be considered energized and dangerous. Also, never touch anything in contact with the line, such as trees, fences or puddles of water, since they can conduct electricity. Keep children and pets away from this potential hazard. Call Kentucky Power at 1-800-572-1113 to report hazards.
Customer Information
Customers are reminded that during storm restoration situations, Kentucky Power tree crews clear rights of way of trees and move on to the next location. Kentucky Power does not return to remove the cut trees. Property owners are responsible for removal. Kentucky Power asks for your patience and understanding during the restoration process
Next Update: Updates will be provided as conditions warrant.
UPDATE: SUNDAY EVENING FEB 24
Kentucky Power Storm Preparation
Kentucky Power Storm Update
Sunday, February 24, 2019 – 3 p.m.
Summary
Kentucky Power is responding to outages resulting from winds in excess of 40 mph that have toppled trees, broken poles and cross arms, brought down lines, and affected other electrical facilities across eastern Kentucky. Flooding and continued high waters from the recent rain has affected the ability to respond to outages in some areas.
Weather
Strong winds with gusts up to 45 mph are expected to continue to batter Kentucky Power’s service area through sunset Sunday when they likely will slow. Soft, wet soils from the recent rain is contributing to outage problems. The saturated ground allows trees to fall more easily onto power lines. In addition, flooding and high waters have prevented crews from assessing damage in the Pikeville District. The wet soil and continuing winds could lead to new outages after service is restored to some customers. Winds gusts are forecast to continue on Monday with gusts up to 30 mph.
Storm Response Efforts
About 360 Kentucky Power employees and contractors are responding to assess damage, make repairs and restore service. As many as 9,100 customers have been affected. New outages continue to occur even as some customers are restored because of the weather. Estimated times for power restoration are uncertain under current weather conditions. Most customers should have electric service by late Monday. Outages in more remote areas could extend past Monday.
Outages
As of 3 p.m. Sunday, about 8,996 customers were without power.
- Boyd, 482
- Breathitt, 13
- Carter, 368
- Floyd, 448
- Greenup, 2,412
- Johnson, 307
- Knott, 77
- Lawrence, 1,268
- Leslie, 75
- Letcher, 1,118
- Lewis, 10
- Magoffin, 263
- Martin, 44
- Morgan, 6
- Owsley, 16
- Perry, 208
- Pike, 2,075
- Rowan, 6
For More Information
A snapshot view of current outages affecting five customers or more is available anytime atkentuckypower.com/outages. The outage map is updated every 15 minutes. Restoration information is added when known. Click on “View Outage Map” to access the map on a computer, cell phone, or tablet. Customers can report outages online, on their mobile device or to our Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113.
Outages also can be reported via the Kentucky Power mobile app. The app can be downloaded free at both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Customers can get specific information about the outages affecting their accounts via text message and/or email by subscribing to Kentucky Power outage alerts. To sign up, please visitwww.kentuckypower.com/alerts. Information also is posted on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/KentuckyPower and on Twitter at twitter.com/KentuckyPower or @KentuckyPower.
Safety Message
Customers should treat all downed lines as live power lines and stay away from them. Never touch downed power lines or sparking equipment. Keep children and pets away from fallen lines and anything the lines may touch.
Customers can take practical steps to stay safe during outages by assembling an emergency kit with flashlights and fresh batteries; candles, matches, or lighters; water for drinking and cooking; canned goods and a manual can opener; and other supplies. A mobile cell phone charger also is useful. Additional safety tips are posted at
https://kentuckypower.com/outages/faq/OutageSafetyTips.aspx.
Next Update: Updates will be provided as conditions warrant.
Friday, February 22, 2019 – 3 p.m.
Situation
Kentucky Power is monitoring and preparing for the arrival of rain and strong winds that has the potential to damage electrical facilities and cause outages across the eastern Kentucky service area through the weekend.
Weather
The storm has the potential to bring 1 to 3 inches of rain on Saturday. With much of the ground in the area already saturated from previous storms, the additional rain could lead to rockslides and mudslides, as well as topple trees onto lines. The likelihood of weather-related outages increase on Sunday with sustained winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour expected all day. Winds are expected to subside by sunset, reducing the chances of additional outages. As the weather system moves closer and forecasts are refined, the storm’s potential effects will become clearer.
Storm Preparation Efforts
Kentucky Power has notified its employees and contractors to prepare for potential weekend work to restore outages should they occur.
For More Information
A snapshot view of current outages affecting five customers or more is available anytime atkentuckypower.com/outages. The outage map is updated every 15 minutes. Restoration information is added when known. Click on “View Outage Map” to access the map on a computer, cell phone, or tablet. Customers can report outages online, on their mobile device or to our Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113.
Outages also can be reported via the Kentucky Power mobile app. The app can be downloaded free at both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Customers can get specific information about the outages affecting their accounts via text message and/or email by subscribing to Kentucky Power outage alerts. To sign up, please visit www.kentuckypower.com/alerts. Information also is posted on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/KentuckyPower and on Twitter at twitter.com/KentuckyPower or @KentuckyPower.
Safety Message
Customers should treat all downed lines as live power lines and stay away from them. Never touch downed power lines or sparking equipment. Keep children and pets away from fallen lines and anything the lines may touch.
Customers can take practical steps to stay safe during outages by assembling an emergency kit with flashlights and fresh batteries; candles, matches, or lighters; water for drinking and cooking; canned goods and a manual can opener; and other supplies. A mobile cell phone charger also is useful. Additional safety tips are posted at
https://kentuckypower.com/outages/faq/OutageSafetyTips.aspx.
Next Update: Updates will be provided as conditions warrant.
