Storms left thousands of AEP customers without power; utility working to restore electricity

In the wake of severe thunderstorms that swept through central Ohio, an AEP outage map reported at one point Monday evening there were more than 12,000 people without power.

That number was on the decline as the evening continued, however, as AEP crews were out trying to restore power.

Around 7 p.m., a total of 7,032 customers in Franklin County were experiencing power outages in the aftermath of the storms. The remaining outages, more than 5,000, were spread out among south and southwest Ohio, according to the outage map.

Police scanner traffic indicated that there were multiple reports of downed power lines and trees throughout parts of Franklin County.

High temperatures and thunderstorms forecasted for week of June 15

Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 78 with a chance of spotty storms sometime before 9 p.m.

Tuesday: There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and then some chance for additional scattered thunderstorms after 2pm. Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 101.

Tuesday Night : Expect showers or thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. There should be mostly cloudy skies with a low around 73.

Wednesday : There's a 50% chance for showers and thunderstorms. Skies will be partly sunny, with a high near 83.

Cooling centers, pools to have extended hours starting Monday

In response to rising temperatures starting this week, Columbus Recreation and Parks will be opening "cooling centers" Monday at five of their regional community centers for residents to stay cool from the oppressive heat. Five of the centers will be opened from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until the hot weather subsides.

Seven of the city's Recreation and Parks Department's outdoor pools will also be open extended hours daily from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting Monday. The city will also be waiving the $1 admission fee until the extreme heat resides, but you must have a city Leisure Pass card to enter for free.

smeighan@dispatch.com

@ShahidMeighan

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Storms left thousands of AEP customers without power; utility working to restore electricity