WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – Appalachian Power Company is preparing for the possibility of severe weather expected to move through much of West Virginia on Saturday.
In a statement released March 6, Appalachian Power said it is closely monitoring a storm system forecast to affect most of its West Virginia service area on March 7.
Forecasters are predicting scattered wind gusts of up to 65 mph in the Charleston, Huntington and Wheeling areas from late Saturday morning through the evening.
According to the utility, the strong winds could damage electrical infrastructure and lead to power outages as the storm moves through the region.
Appalachian Power said it has activated its storm response plan and is pre-positioning crews and resources throughout the service area ahead of the expected weather.
If outages occur, the company said restoration times will depend on the amount of damage to the electrical system and whether crews can safely access affected areas.
The company’s Storm Response Team is also encouraging customers to review safety information available and sign up for outage alerts on their website.
Customers who rely on electrically powered medical equipment are advised to ensure they have an emergency plan in place in case outages last for an extended period.
