Appalachian Power releases outage update following storms

(WDBJ) - UPDATE: As of Saturday evening,

“Power is back on for well over half of the roughly 50,000 customers impacted by heavy rain and high winds that swept across Appalachian Power’s three-state service area yesterday and overnight.

The majority of outages are in West Virginia, which sustained the most damage.

Hundreds of assessors, line mechanics and tree crews are in the field restoring service. Several hundred additional workers will join Appalachian Power’s storm response effort later tonight and tomorrow.

Outages

About 15,500 customers are without electric service in West Virginia. Areas with outages include: Boone, 172; Cabell, 1899; Clay, 245; Fayette, 507; Jackson, 371; Kanawha, 3,050; Lincoln, 831; Logan, 294; Marshall, 209; Mason, 2,166; McDowell, 74; Mingo, 945; Nicholas, 108; Putnam, 1,525; Raleigh, 391; and Wayne, 3570.
About 1,100 customers are without electric service in Virginia.
Roughly 100 customers are without power in the company’s Tennessee service territory.

Restoration Estimates

Power is expected to be restored to most Virginia customers by 11 pm. Exceptions include the Glade Spring and Gate City areas where power is expected to be restored by 11 pm, Sunday.
Appalachian Power expects to have service back on for Tennessee customers by 6 pm, Sunday.
Restoration estimates in West Virginia are as follows: McDowell and Wyoming counties, 11 pm; Raleigh and Mercer counties, 11 pm, Sunday; and all remaining areas of West Virginia by 11 pm, Monday.

Storm Response Efforts

Crews made significant progress today with power restored to over 30,000 customers.
Appalachian Power planned for significant outages from this storm, and hundreds of assessors, line mechanics and tree crews are in the field helping repair damaged facilities and remove downed trees.
The company has secured several hundred additional workers from within and outside Appalachian Power’s service area for the hardest hit areas of West Virginia. These additional crews began arriving today and more will arrive on Sunday.

Weather

Weather conditions are expected to be favorable for restoration tomorrow with temperatures predicted in the 50 to 60 degree range.

Safety Message

All downed lines are dangerous — they carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. Stay away to stay alive. If you encounter a fallen wire, keep yourself and others away from it and anything it may be touching, and call 911 and Appalachian Power at 1-800-956-4237 immediately.
Additional safety tips are posted at https://www.appalachianpower.com/outages/faq/OutageSafetyTips.aspx.

For More Information

Customers can report outages via https://www.appalachianpower.com/outages/report/ or the mobile app.

Customers can get specific, up to date information about outages affecting their accounts by viewing our outage map, or via text message and/or email by subscribing to Appalachian Power outage alerts. To sign up, please visit www.appalachianpower.com/alerts.

A snapshot view of current outages is available anytime at www.appalachianpower.com. Go to the Outages and Problems section of the homepage and click “View Outage Map.””

EARLIER STORY: The effects of dreary weather are being felt by Appalachian Power customers throughout the region.

According to the company, around 41,000 customers are without power as of early Saturday afternoon.

The full update can be found below:

“The majority of outages are in West Virginia, but outage numbers in Virginia continue to be affected by windy conditions, particularly in the Roanoke area.

Appalachian Power’s storm response team is assessing damage, making repairs, and developing plans for additional resources in locations where damage is more extensive.

Hundreds of additional workers from several states will arrive later today and tomorrow to join the company’s storm response.