Low pressure moving through western portions of Ohio may trigger a wide area of thunderstorms. AEP meteorologists believe it’s possible that that a broken line of severe storms with scattered 60- to 70-mile-per-hour wind gusts could impact parts of western Ohio, Columbus and Chillicothe overnight (between 1 and 4 a.m.).
SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY REMINDERS
As our crews prepare for the latest incoming weather, you can prepare yourself and your loved ones by following these tips:
- Establish or review an emergency preparedness plan and emergency kit for you and your family.
- Contact family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or have a medical condition to make sure they have a plan, too. Don’t forget to include pets in your planning.
- Secure any loose objects outside of your home such as furniture, umbrellas or trampolines that could become airborne in strong winds.
- Follow your local forecast for the latest updates on weather conditions and timing.
Remember to stay as far away as possible from downed lines and anything they may be touching. Call 911 and report any safety hazards through the AEP Ohio mobile app or by calling us at (800) 672-2231.
STAYING CONNECTED
To receive the latest alerts and information, customers should:
REMINDER: Make sure we have your most recent contact information at AEPOhio.com/Account
FAQs
Does AEP Ohio do anything to help reduce power outages ahead of high winds?
One of the biggest causes of outages due to high winds is fallen trees and branches that bring down power lines. AEP Ohio has a comprehensive, year-round tree maintenance program to help manage trees and brush that grow near or around our power lines and equipment. When storms do bring down trees, our foresters are among the first responders as they work to safely clear trees from our lines and equipment and move to the next location as quickly as possible to allow our line crews to restore power.
Why can’t AEP Ohio put electric lines underground to avoid outages from wind damage?
Many factors go into determining whether power lines are buried. There are pros and cons to both overhead and underground lines. While overhead lines are more vulnerable to damage from weather elements, issues with underground lines often take longer to find and repair — resulting in extended power outages compared to overhead lines. It's our goal to find the best solution to provide reliable power to the communities we serve.
NEXT UPDATE
Updates will be provided at AEPOhio.com and through other communication channels as needed.
As always, our crews will work to restore power as safely and quickly as they can if outages occur.