Kentucky Power Windstorm Restoration Update
Saturday, January 13, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
Weather
Wind gusts continue this morning through parts of the Kentucky Power service territory, along with colder temperatures that are expected to stay around for the next week.
Summary
At the peak of the windstorm, there were 5,800 customers without power. Currently, there are approximately 1,600 customers remaining without power.
Storm Response Efforts
Restoration efforts are well underway. Nearly 400 Kentucky Power personnel, business partners and external resources are responding with an additional 70 out-of-state resources joining the effort throughout the day to address the remaining 78 outages cases.
Outages and Estimated Restoration
Restoration for all areas should be mostly complete by late tonight. Most customers currently without service will have power restored before then. Estimated restoration times can be found atwww.KentuckyPower.com/outages.
For more information
- Customers can report outages and check out the latest restoration information for their account anytime by downloading the app, www.KentuckyPower.com/app.
- Customers can also report to our Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113.
- Restoration Information also is posted on Facebook and on Twitter or @KentuckyPower.
Safety Messages
- Customers using a generator, should keep safety top of mind. Safety tips are available on our website at https://www.kentuckypower.com/safety/home#generators.
- Additional safety tips are posted at www.KentuckyPower.com/safety.
Next update: Saturday, January 13, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Kentucky Power Storm Preparations
Friday, January 12, 2024, 11:30 a.m.
Weather
A strong storm system will bring impactful weather to Kentucky Power’s service territory including high winds and an extremely cold air event that will persist for longer than one week. The event is expected to start at 11 a.m. today with wind gusts of 45-55 mph in the high terrain areas and northwest facing slopes. There will be a brief lull in strong winds this evening, then frequent 45-50 mph winds gusts with isolated 60 mph gusts likely again starting tonight and lasting through midday tomorrow.
Following the wind event will be a long duration of extreme cold air starting early next week. Though temperatures are expected to warm up on Thursday, more artic air will again affect our territory starting on Friday, January 19.
Summary
A widespread storm system with strong winds is expected to impact all of Kentucky Power’s service territory staring this evening and ending Saturday morning. A broken line of potential thunderstorms along a cold front in the northeastern part of Kentucky Power territory is also predicted late tonight to early Saturday morning. Frequent 45-50 mph winds gusts, with isolated 60 mph gusts, will likely be the biggest threat for outages. Should outages occur, crews will be working through the weekend to restore power for customers as quickly and safely as possible.
Storm Response Efforts
Kentucky Power personnel and business partners are pre-staged, prepared and ready to assess damage and restore power as soon it is safe to do so.
Customers are urged to prepare now for power outages, specifically with the extreme cold in mind. Being prepared ahead of the storm is the first step to keeping your home and family safe. Prepare emergency plans and an emergency kit that includes:
- Water for drinking and cooking
- Flashlights and fresh batteries
- Camping equipment like sleeping bags, camping stoves and lanterns
- Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
- If you plan to use a generator, make sure you are following the manufacturers’ instructions and following all safety recommendations.
- Instructions for how to manually open your garage door
- A first aid kit and important over-the-counter medicines
- Charge your cell phone and have a battery backup
- Kentucky Power advises anyone using an in-home medical device that requires electricity to have a backup plan in case there is an outage.
- Please ensure a backup plan is in place for elderly and ill family members and friends.
Report and stay up-to-day on outages:
Customers can report outages and check the latest restoration information for their account anytime at www.KentuckyPower.com/outages or by downloading the Kentucky Power mobile app at www.KentuckyPower.com/app. 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 may also call our Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113.
Customers also can get specific information about outages via text message and/or email by signing up for alerts at www.kentuckypower.com/alerts. Updates and information will be posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KentuckyPower and on X at twitter.com/KentuckyPower or @KentuckyPower.
Next update will be provided tomorrow morning or sooner if outages occur.
