UPDATE: Kentucky Power Flood Restoration Update Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 10:30 a.m.

UPDATE: Kentucky Power Flood Restoration Update

Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 10:30 a.m.

Summary

A severe storm caused catastrophic flooding in eastern Kentucky leaving more than 18,000 customers without power on Sunday. As of this morning, more than 80% of customer power outages have been restored.

Current Situation

Currently, there are 3,389 customers without power. The remaining customer outages are in Pike County (1,113), Leslie County (616), Perry County (578) and Floyd County (318). The estimated restoration time (ETR) for those counties is by tomorrow night. Breathitt, Johnson and Knott have 200 or less outages with an ETR of tomorrow night as well. The ETR for Martin County (182) is by Wednesday night.

Many of the remaining outages are located in difficult to access areas which were heavily impacted by flooding. As of this morning, crews have reported 42 broken poles, 39 broken cross arms, 19 damaged transformers and 387 spans of wire down.

Estimated Restoration Times

ETRs and outage information can be found at www.KentuckyPower.com/Outages. Customers can also sign up for text and email alerts at www.KentuckyPower.com/App to receive updates.

Resources

Kentucky Power planned for outages from this storm by having all employees and business partners on alert and prepared to work. In addition, hundreds of out-of-state line workers quickly joined in the restoration effort to bring the total number of personnel working to restore power in Kentucky Power’s service area to more than 800.

Stay Safe

• Generators: If you are using a portable or RV generator, please do not plug the generator into your circuit box. Please be sure to turn the generator OFF when crews are working in your area for their safety and yours. Additional safety tips can be found atwww.KentuckyPower.com/Safety.
• Meter Box Damage: Kentucky Power cannot reconnect power for customers whose home or business is flooded until the electrical system passes inspection by a licensed electrician. If there is damage, an electrician will need to make repairs and obtain verification from the local building inspection authority before power can be restored.

More information

• Additional information can be found on the website, www.KentuckyPower.com.
• Customers may call our Customer Operations Center anytime at 800-572-1113.
• Restoration Information is also posted on Facebook and on X.

Next update: Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

Kentucky Power Flood Event Outage Update

February 17, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

Summary

A severe storm caused catastrophic flooding in eastern Kentucky leaving more than 18,000 customers without power. Crews made great progress today restoring power to more than 60% of customers. Approximately 5,867 customers are without power this evening.

Storm Restoration Efforts

More than 836 company personnel, business partners and mutual assistance resources are actively addressing outages across the affected areas in an all hands on deck effort.

Restoration will continue through the end of the week for areas that are still inaccessible due to road damage and high water.

Estimated Times of Restoration (ETRs)

The estimated times of restoration (ETRs) have been set for the following areas with the majority of customers having power restored by Wednesday night. Current customer outages and ETRs:

Check the outage map to see where outages are in each county: Kentucky Power Outage Map.

Weather

A winter storm warning is in effect for much of the region. Starting tomorrow night and into Thursday, heavy snow is expected to bring between 3 and 5 inches in some areas.

Flood and Meter Box Damage
Kentucky Power cannot reconnect power for customers whose home or business is flooded until the electrical system passes inspection by a licensed electrician. If there is damage, an electrician will need to make repairs and obtain verification from the local building inspection authority before power can be restored.

A property owner with a damaged meter box or one that is pulled away from the structure will need to enlist an electrician to reattach the meter box and/or provide a permanent fix. This is inclusive of customers currently with and without power. In some instances, an electrical inspection may be required by the county before Kentucky Power can reconnect service. An electrician can advise customers on the next steps.

Generator Safety
Customers using power generators should turn off generators if they see utility crews in the area. Excess electricity created by a generator can feed back onto electric lines and lead to severe injuries to line technicians. Additional generator safety information is available on our website at PublicSafety_FactSheet_portablegenerators-KYPower.pdf.

For More Information:

• 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 KentuckyPower.com/Alerts.
• Customers can report outages and check out the latest restoration information for their account anytime atKentuckypower.com/Outages or by downloading the Kentucky Power mobile app at Kentuckypower.com/App.
• Customers can also report to our Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113.
• Restoration Information is also posted on Facebook and on X.

Note: Next update will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

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Kentucky Power Flood Event Outage Update

February 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

Summary

Severe flooding in eastern Kentucky has resulted in extensive damage across the southern region of Kentucky Power’s service area. At the peak of the event, power outages impacted 18,373 customers. Most of the 20 counties in Kentucky Power’s service area were affected by outages.

Current Situation

Additional outages occurred last night as another wave of strong winds and precipitation impacted southeastern Kentucky. Currently, there are 10,370 customers without power with 435 individual outage cases. Pike County, which was impacted by wind gusts up to 59 mph on Sunday, has 3,082 customer outages. Outages affecting customers are also in Perry County (1,303), Martin (1,886) and Leslie (1,376). There are other counties still with several hundred customer outages. Check our outage map to stay up to date on outages in each county: Kentucky Power Outage Map

Storm Response Efforts 

More than 600 personnel are actively addressing outages across the affected areas. Additional external resources joined the restoration efforts today. Flooding and blocked roadways continue to be a hinderance in some locations due to inaccessibility.

There are three substations that are either flooded or having equipment issues. If water has receded in these areas and crews can gain access, damage assessment and repairs will be underway today.

Important Safety Update for Flooded Areas

Since many of our customers were impacted by flooding, we want to make sure they stay safe as recovery begins. If your electric meter was submerged in water, here’s what you need to know:

Stay Safe First

• If water is still present, do not touch your meter, breaker box or any electrical equipment.
• If you can safely reach your main breaker without standing in water, turn it off to prevent further damage. Otherwise, please call a licensed electrician.
• Contact us to let us know about your situation and that you do not have power.

What to Do Next

• Call an electrician. Water can severely damage electrical systems. A professional should inspect your wiring, breaker box and meter before power is restored.
• Check for damage. Wiring, outlets and appliances exposed to water may need to be replaced. Even if they look fine, they could pose a fire risk.
• Work with us. Once an electrician clears your home’s system, we’ll work quickly to safely restore your service.

Other Safety Reminders

• Don’t use electrical appliances or outlets if they’ve been wet.
• Avoid standing water near outlets or your electrical panel.
• When in doubt, stay away and call a professional.

We know this is a tough time for many in our southeastern community, and we’re here to help. Stay safe and reach out if you have questions.

For More Information:

• 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 KentuckyPower.com/Alerts.
• Customers can report outages and check out the latest restoration information for their account anytime atKentuckypower.com/Outages or by downloading the Kentucky Power mobile app at Kentuckypower.com/App.
• Customers can also report to our Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113.
• Restoration Information is also posted on Facebook and on X.

Next Update: Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

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UPDATE: Kentucky Power Flood Event Outage Update February 16, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

Summary

Heavy flooding in eastern Kentucky has caused wide-spread damage in the southern part of Kentucky Power’s territory. Power outages increased throughout the day with a peak of 18,373 customers affected. Fourteen counties in Kentucky Power’s 20-county service territory are experiencing outages.

Current Situation

There are currently 11,314 customers without power with more than 473 individual outage cases.

Current power outages per county:

Storm Response Efforts 

More than 600 personnel, business partners, forestry, safety and back-office staff are actively addressing outages across the affected areas. Additional external resources will be joining the restoration efforts tomorrow. Many locations remain inaccessible due to flooding and blocked roadways, which is hindering restoration.

Restoration Process

As crews assess damage from the storm, restoration times will be provided. Restoration will be a multi-day event.

We prioritize restoration to address outages that impact critical services, including hospitals, emergency services, public safety facilities, and emergency shelters. After these are resolved, our crews focus on residential and business customers.

We also prioritize larger outages that affect more customers, as our goal is to restore service to the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time. As a result, outages affecting smaller groups or individual customers will be addressed later in the restoration process. For more information about how power is restored, visit KentuckyPower.com/Outages.

Weather

The current flood warning is in effect through tonight in some areas and into the early morning hours in others. Much of our service area is also being impacted by the cold front that is coming right behind the flood event starting tonight. This forecast includes snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches, ice, strong wind gusts and cold temperatures in the teens and low 20s.

Stay Safe

• Stay Away from Downed Power Lines: Treat all downed power lines as live and dangerous. Do not attempt to touch or move them. Report any downed lines to 9-1-1 and to Kentucky Power at 800-572-1113 immediately.
• Avoid Flooded Areas: Stay clear of flooded areas and do not attempt to walk or drive through standing water, as it may be deeper than it appears and could contain electrical hazards or debris.
• Use Generators Safely: If using a generator, ensure it is placed outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Only connect appliances directly to the generator and never plug it into a wall outlet. Check our website for generator safety tips and more information at KentuckyPower.com/Safety.
• Check on Neighbors: Reach out to neighbors, especially the elderly or those with mobility issues, to ensure they are safe and have access to necessary resources during the outage.
• Stay Informed: Keep updated on the situation through local news and follow our Facebook page @KentuckyPower where detailed updates are posted. Use battery-powered devices to receive important information about power restoration and safety instructions.

For More Information

• 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 KentuckyPower.com/Alerts.
• Customers can report outages and check out the latest restoration information for their account anytime atKentuckypower.com/Outages or by downloading the Kentucky Power mobile app at Kentuckypower.com/App.
• Customers can also report to our Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113.
• Restoration Information is also posted on Facebook and on X.

Next Update: Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, 10 a.m.

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Kentucky Power Restoration Update Sunday, February 16, 2025, 11:00 a.m.

Summary

Destructive flooding in eastern Kentucky has caused significant damage, including leaving more than 18,000 customers without power. Blocked roads from high water, mud slides and downed trees have been reported throughout the southern part of Kentucky Power’s territory.

Current Situation

Crews are mobilized and responding to outages. However, access to many of the areas is not currently possible due to flooding and blocked roadways. There are 393 individual active outage cases that are being assessed and worked. Pike County has nearly 6,000 customers out of power and Knott about 2,200 customers. Breathitt, Floyd, Leslie, Letcher, Martin and Perry counties also have significant outages.

Storm Response Efforts

This is an all-hands-on-deck effort with hundreds of workers committed to this restoration process and additional help arriving today. As mentioned, many areas are inaccessible by our crews, which will cause delays in restorations times until flood waters recede and roadways are cleared. It is anticipated that damage assessment and restoration will continue for several days.

*SAFETY ALERT* — High water is dangerous for many reasons! Situations can change quickly. Do not drive or walk through high water. It can be difficult to tell how deep the water is and at times impossible to tell what is or is not underneath the water.

Check Your Home Before You Go In!

• Before you go in, walk carefully around the outside of your home and check for loose power lines and gas leaks. You will know there is leaking gas by the putrid, distinct odor that is added to gas to let people know gas is leaking. If you find downed lines or leaks, call your utility company.
• Proceed very carefully: Turn off the electricity at the main breaker or fuse box. Electricity and water don’t mix. If you have to step in water to get to your electric box, call an electrician.
• For information on how to repair your home after a flood, visit the National Center for Healthy Housing.

Other safety measures to remember:

• Never step into a flooded basement or other room if water may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances, or cords.
• Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.
• Never use electric appliances or touch electric wires, switches, or fuses when you’re wet or when you’re standing in water.
• Keep electric tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from wet surfaces. Do not use electric yard tools if it’s raining or the ground is wet.
• If an electrical appliance has been in contact with water, have a professional check it out before it is used. It may need to be repaired or replaced.
• Go to SafeElectricity.org for more information on how to keep your family safe during a flood.

Stay Connected:

• Download our app to report outages and receive information about outages in your area at KentuckyPower.com/App.
• Sign up for text and email alerts to receive important information at KentuckyPower.com/Alerts.
• Follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter) for the latest updates @KentuckyPower.

For Outage Reporting and Tracking:

• Use our app or visit KentuckyPower.com/Outages.
• Call our Customer Operations Center anytime at 800-572-1113.

Note: Next update will be 6:30 p.m. today, Sunday, February 16, 2025