WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – In the aftermath of Friday’s wind gusts, Appalachian Power is working to address the extensive outages across its service territory.
As of the latest update at 6 p.m. on January 13, significant progress has been made, with 75% of affected customers having their electric service restored.
Appalachian Power has mobilized a workforce of 2,100 personnel, including both internal crews and external contractors, to safely restore power to those impacted by the severe weather conditions.
The adverse weather led to the downfall of trees, power lines, and electrical equipment, affecting a total of 30,000 Appalachian Power customers.
Currently, approximately 7,900 customers remain without power, distributed across Virginia, West Virginia, and the company’s Tennessee service territory.
- In Virginia, 3,100 customers are without power, mainly concentrated in Smyth and Washington counties.
- West Virginia reports 4,650 customers facing outages, with Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mercer, Nicholas, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties experiencing the most significant impact.
- 160 customers are without service in the company’s Tennessee service area.
Appalachian Power aims to restore power to the majority of customers by late tonight. However, areas with more extensive storm-related damage, particularly in Raleigh, Mercer, and Fayette counties in West Virginia, and Smyth and Washington counties in Virginia, may experience delays until Sunday night.
Customers are urged to refrain from using high-energy appliances immediately after power restoration, as this can strain the electric system and potentially hinder nearby restoration efforts.
The company, anticipating significant outages, has strategically deployed personnel to address areas in a phased manner.
Crews are reassigned to locations still without power after completing work in one area.
While wind gusts are expected to decrease through the night, the forecast for Sunday morning includes potentially challenging conditions in higher elevated areas, with gusts reaching 40-45 mph.
Appalachian Power emphasizes safety precautions, urging customers to treat all downed lines as live power lines and report them promptly.
Additionally, the company advises on the proper use of alternate heat sources and generators to avoid accidents.
For specific outage information and safety tips, customers can visit AppalachianPower.com/Safety.
Customers can receive updates on outages affecting their location through text messages or email by enrolling in Appalachian Power’s Outage Alerts at AppalachianPower.com/Alerts.
A real-time outage map is also available on the company’s website.
The next update is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at 11 a.m.