Kentucky Power line crews continue today to restore service to thousands of customers who lost power Friday as the result of a severe storm that crossed Eastern Kentucky. At the height of the outages last night, more than 23,000 customers lost power after the storm knocked down power lines, broke utility poles and downed trees and tree limbs across power lines.
 
At this time, more than 10,400 customers remain without power and company officials have revised their estimates, saying it may be as late as 12 a.m. Monday before some customers are returned to service. Kentucky Power has brought in 14 additional four-man line crews from AEP-Ohio, an affiliate power company, and electrical contractors to aid in restoration efforts.
 
After receiving reports of downed power lines, company officials cautioned residents of Eastern Kentucky to never approach downed power lines. No mater how harmless a downed wire may appear it should be considered energized and dangerous. Report all downed power lines to Kentucky Power at (800) 572-1113 or notify local emergency or law enforcement officials immediately. Never approach or touch anything that comes in contact with a downed power line.
 
As of 11 a.m. today, the following outage numbers were reported by the company. Company officials explained these numbers could rise and fall throughout the day as more outage cases are reported and customers are returned to service.
 
Service Area               No. of Customers              Est. Restoration
Ashland                         76                                        6 p.m. Today
Hazard                          610                                      12 a.m. Sunday
Paintsville                      420                                       12 a.m. Suncay
South Williamson           2,594                                    6 p.m. Sunday
Whitesburg                     6                                         12 a.m. Sunday
Total                             10,476
 
Kentucky Power is an operating unit of American Electric Power and provides electricity to approximately 175,000 customers in all or parts of 20 Eastern Kentucky counties.
 
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 is the nation’s largest generator of electricity, owning more than 36,000 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 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2006.