News
Severe Weather Causes Multi-County Power Outages
By: WOUB Staff Writer
Posted on:
UPDATE 9:27 P.M. Though a severe thunderstorm warning issued by the National Weather Service for the region has expired, more storms are forecast for Southeast Ohio and parts of West Virginia in coming days.
A latest round of thunderstorms and downpours left numerous American Electric Power customers without electricity.
According to the power company's outage map, close to 17,900 customers were reporting outages, including these Southeast Ohio counties:
– Athens County: 1,510
– Belmont County: 213
– Guernsey County: 298
– Licking County: 380
– Muskingum County: 543
– Tuscarawas County: 1,920
The National Weather Service is predicting continuing showers and thunderstorms until Friday evening, though no further advisories have been issued for the region.
UPDATE 7:30 P.M. Approximately 55,000 American Electric Power customers in Ohio are without service after a round of late afternoon showers and thunderstorms swept across the state.
Most recent numbers from the power company for Southeast Ohio include outages in the following counties:
– Athens County: 1,763 customers
– Belmont County: 1,308 customers
– Guernsey County: 277 customers
– Licking County: 605 customers
– Muskingum County: 1,060 customers
– Perry County: 415 customers
– Tuscarawas County: 2,213 customers
Another storm system is forecasted to travel through the area later this evening and the region remains under a severe thunderstorm watch from the National Weather Service until 9 p.m.
UPDATE 4:10 P.M. AEP-Ohio is now reporting approximately 1,400 Athens County customers are without power, down from a previously reported 2,400 earlier Wednesday afternoon.
Belmont and Guernsey counties are also experiencing outages following a strong storm system that passed through the region around 2:30 p.m.
In Belmont County, close 600 AEP customers are without electricity and in Guernsey County, more than 550 have no power.
Another round of storms is predicted for Wednesday night and the region remains under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m.
UPDATE 3:05 P.M. American Electric Power is reporting power outages in parts of Southeast Ohio following a strong storm system that cross through the region Wednesday afternoon.
According to the power company's outage map, approximately 2,400 Athens County customers are without power. Outages have been reported in The Plains area.
In Belmont County, 255 customers lost services.
It is unclear is all the reported outages are related to the most recent bout of severe weather.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 9 p.m. for several Ohio and West Virginia counties.
Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton and Washington counties are all part of the watch.
Parts of central, western and northern West Virginia are also in the effect.
A line of storms was reported in Tuscarawas and Coshocton counties around 2:30 p.m. heading southeast.
The NWS advises the storm system will bring gusty winds, possible hail, heavy downpouts and dangerous lightning.
Motorists are advised to use caution when driving as water may collect in roadways.