Kentucky Power Storm Preparation
Thursday, October 31, 2019 – 4 p.m.
Situation
Kentucky Power is monitoring, preparing and responding to heavy rain and strong winds that have the potential to damage electrical facilities and cause outages across the eastern Kentucky service area on Halloween. Strong winds can cause trees to fall onto power lines, resulting in multiple broken poles and downed power lines.
Weather
The first of two bands of severe weather brought rain and winds with gusts up to 40 miles an hour earlier on Thursday. A lull is expected Thursday afternoon before more rain and winds with gusts up to 45 miles an hour are forecast to move into the area with the most effects expected between 8 p.m. and midnight. Such conditions can lead to widespread outages. As the weather system moves into the region, its potential effects will become clearer.
Storm Preparation-Response Efforts
Kentucky Power has notified its employees and contractors to prepare for storm work to restore outages as they occur. Strong winds can pose safety hazards for utility workers and restrict their use of bucket trucks, which can prolong restoration times. When widespread outages occur, assessors are often the first workers on the scene. Their job is to drive through communities and affected areas and quickly determine damage and needed crews and materials. Assessors often do not stop but are performing an important job in the restoration process that helps line crews to more quickly make needed repairs once they arrive at the scene.
Outages
As of 4 p.m. Thursday, about 2,500 customers were without electric service. The majority of affected customers are served by the Pikeville District, including Floyd, Martin and Pike counties. Many affected customers also are served by the Hazard District, including Leslie and Letcher counties. Other outages are scattered in Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Magoffin and Perry counties. Once the storms move through the area and damage is assessed, restoration times will be provided.
For More Information
A snapshot view of current outages affecting five customers or more is available anytime at kentuckypower.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 at https://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. With the storm moving into the region on Halloween, many communities have postponed Trick or Treat for safety reasons. However, please take precautions.
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.
