Kentucky Power Ice Storms Response: Monday, February 22, 10:30 a.m.
Situation
Crews are continuing to address power outages in Kentucky Power’s service territory using more than 2,000 line employees, foresters and assessors to ensure every customer is restored. In many cases, the damage was so extensive that portions of lines are being rebuilt. Paralyzing weather events that included two back-to-back ice storms followed by snow caused extensive damage to electrical facilities and more than 59,000 customers to lose power at the peak.
Storm response efforts
Approximately 10,500 customers remain without power on Monday morning, but Kentucky Power has completed restoration to approximately 82% of the customers who have been part of the February ice and snow events.
At this point in the restoration, crews find themselves working on very difficult and time-consuming re-construction or repairs that bring power back for very few customers at a time. There are hundreds of individual outage cases that have to be worked and the majority of these cases will restore power to 10 or fewer customers.
Residential/Business Service Drop Information: Kentucky Power cannot connect power to any home or business where there is damage to the service entrance. The service entrance is the area located 1) at the meter, 2) between the meter and the home’s electrical panel, or 3) the location where Kentucky Power’s cable connects to the home/business owner’s cable. Customers need to have a qualified electrician repair this damage before power can be restored to the home or business.
We realize how difficult it is to be without power and know there are customers who remain out since the first storm came through and we continue to make them a priority. Also, in most of these original outage cases, the repair work is very difficult, time-consuming and only affecting a few customers on each outage. Numerous resources are devoted to these customers every day, including strike teams made up of workers with specific and broad skills in order to quickly and safely restore simpler outages without waiting for additional assistance.
Weather and New Outages
Weather continues to present challenges to restoration. As rain moves through the area today, gusty winds are supposed to follow this afternoon. New outages continue to occur from limbs and trees, melting snow and ice and now likely wind affecting hundreds of customers to potentially lose power.
Today’s Area of Focus
While crews will be working in all areas without power today, here are some places where efforts will be concentrated:
Boyd County: Azalea Drive off Boy Scout Road, Peacock Drive, Terrance Blvd, Catlettsburg/part of 47th Street, Hurricane Road, Coalton-US Route 60, Catletts Creek, Bolts Fork, Cannonsburg Route 3, Friendship Road, Bear Creek, Ellington Run, Hoods Creek Summit, Hoods Creek/Rural, Durbin
Carter County: Davies Run, Huffs Run, Route 201, Olive Hill area
Greenup County: Wurtland/Greenup, Grays Branch, South Shore
Lawrence County: Right Fork of George’s Creek, Adams Hill to Rich Creek, Fallsburg
Estimated Restoration Information
In outlying areas of Boyd County, 3,600 customers remain without power but it is expected that 75% of customers will be restored by Wednesday, February 24 or sooner. Most customers or 95% in the Ashland (City) will be restored by late tonight. Pockets of outages will still remain but restoration work in this area continues.
In outlying areas of Carter County, 2,100 customers remain without power. Most customers or 95% in the Grayson (City) areas and Olive Hill areas will be will be restored by late tonight, but pockets of outages will remain and restoration will be ongoing over the next few days. The remaining areas of Carter County will be 50% restored by Wednesday, February 24 or sooner; 75% restored by Friday night, February 26 or sooner.
In Lawrence County, there are 3,500 customers who remain without power but most customers or 95% will be restored by Wednesday, February 24.
Most customers or 95% of customers who were affected by the storms in Greenup County, Johnson County, Magoffin County and Rowan County have been restored, but pockets of outages remain and will be an area of focus over the next several days.
Safety Message
Do not go near any downed wires. Consider all wires live and dangerous even if you think they are phone or cable. Report hazardous situations immediately by call 1-800-572-1113 or 911.
