Oak Hill, WV (WOAY) – Appalachian Power reports the winter storm has resulted in power outages for approximately 45,000 of its customers across its three-state service area, although the impact was not significant in Southern West Virginia.
The company made progress today, but 30,000 people are still without power.
Crews are concentrating in Smyth and Washington counties in Virginia and Lincoln and Kanawha counties in West Virginia. The damage there has been reported as extensive and hazardous weather conditions are slowing progress.
During large-scale outages, crews first restore power to critical facilities like hospitals, 911 centers, water treatment plants, and police and fire stations.
From there, they move to repairs that restore service to the greatest number of customers, followed by smaller outages affecting individual homes and businesses.
Appalachian Power’s real-time outage map also lists more than 120 warming centers currently open across its service area.
Customers are reminded to stay far away from downed power lines, have emergency plans in place, especially if they rely on medical equipment, and to report outages through APCO’s mobile app.
