Around 219,000 Appalachian Power customers without power across Appalachia

GHENT, WV (WVNS) — More than 219,000 Appalachian Power customers across Appalachia are without power due to weather caused by Tropical Storm Helene.

According to a Storm Response Update from Appalachian Power, around 219,000 Appalachian Power customers are without power in West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee.

The amount of power outages could increase throughout Friday, September 27, 2024 due to high winds and heavy rain.

The amount of power outages remaining in states affected by the storm include:

• Virginia: Around 128,000
• West Virginia: Around 39,000
• Tennessee: Around 16,000

Appalachian power stated that more than 1,000 contractors and employers are working on power restoration, crews from Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan are in the area or on their way to help with restoration efforts, and crews from Texas and Oklahoma are expected to arrive on Saturday, September 28, 2024.

Heavy wind and rain could delay power restoration, and restoration times are expected to last into Sunday, September 29, 2024, however restoration times could take longer in some areas.

In case power outages increase due to wind and rain from Hurricane Helene, Appalachian Power advised people to:

• Plan in case of a power outage, do not forget pets, and make sure that people you know who are elderly, or who have young children or medical conditions have a plan.
• Keep phones, portable chargers, laptops, and other electronics charged.
• Put an emergency kit together that includes non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, batteries, a battery-powered radio, a first-aid kit, and any required medications.

If anyone comes across a downed power line, Appalachian Power advised people to not touch it, treat the power line as if it is live, and keep pets and children away from any downed power lines.

In case using an alternate heat source is necessary, follow the given instructions and make sure it works properly, and do not generators into circuit boxes using a portable or RV generator.

Do not try to drive through flooded roads, turn around and find a safer route. If the vehicle stalls or is stuck in rising water, leave it while you can and go to higher ground. Do not drive through standing water, because standing water can be deeper than it appears, have a fast current, and could hide objects such as debris, potholes, or downed power lines.

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