The company strongly urges everyone to stay away from the many downed power lines throughout its service territory.
Based on past experiences with major storms, the company urges customers to expect extended service restoration times of up to seven days or longer. The seven-day estimate is preliminary; the company will provide a more definite estimate once all of the storm damage is assessed. The company expects to complete most of its assessment within the next 24 to 48 hours.
"This is an unprecedented major storm event for AEP Ohio at this time of year," said Joe Hamrock, AEP Ohio president and chief operating officer. Customers should consider taking action now to prepare for an extended power outage.
"In addition, I strongly urge everyone to remember to never touch a downed power line, even if it appears to be de-energized."
The company is calling in all available employees and contractors, including recalling those who were sent to southern states to assist with hurricane damage restoration. In addition, the company is seeking assistance from utilities in neighboring states that may not have been affected by the current wind storm.
So what should customers do?
First, let AEP Ohio know if there is a power outage or a downed power line in your area. Customers should call the company’s toll-free number-- 800-277-2177 for Columbus Southern Power customers, and 800-672-2231 for Ohio Power customers. During times of high call volume, callers may hear a recorded message. Even if a customer does not speak with a Customer Solutions Center representative, the customer can leave an electronic or recorded voice message about the outage.
Customers who use a battery-powered laptop computer can report an outage at www.aepohio.com. The first question the on-line outage site asks is whether a downed wire or other safety hazard exists," said Hamrock. "AEP Ohio is concerned that customers take appropriate precautions around electrical equipment at all times, especially downed power lines."
The following are a few tips for coping with outages:
• Never touch a downed wire. Always treat this situation as dangerous. Report this condition by phone or online as soon as possible.
• Prepare an emergency kit with flashlight(s), battery-powered lamp and fresh batteries; battery-powered radio or television; water for drinking and cooking; instructions for manually opening power-operated garage doors; manual can opener.
• Do not open freezer doors. This will keep foods frozen longer. Minimize opening refrigerator doors as well.
• Disconnect (trip breaker in your electrical panel) major heating and cooling equipment circuits. In fact, leave just one or two lights switched on to let you know when power is restored. Once power is restored, turn on appliances gradually.
More information can be found on www.aepohio.com in the section titled Storms & Outages.
AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers of major AEP subsidiaries Columbus Southern Power Company and Ohio Power Company in Ohio, and Wheeling Power Company in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio. The company serves all or part of 61 counties in Ohio and two in West Virginia.
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 785 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP's transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP's utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP's headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.
Source : nbc4i
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