Thousands Remain Without Power in the Miami Valley Following Severe Weather
Thousands of residents throughout the Miami Valley are grappling with widespread power outages as the aftermath of severe weather continues to be felt across the region. As of 2:17 p.m. on Saturday, a staggering 62,937 customers were reported to be without power, with many still waiting in the dark for restoration.
The Scope of the Outages
AES Ohio is at the forefront of the outage report, detailing that 50,691 of their customers are currently without power. Disturbingly, approximately 48,964 of these outages occur specifically within the Miami Valley. The outage map from AES Ohio reveals a detailed breakdown of where these outages are concentrated across various counties. The numbers tell a clear story:
- Butler County: 1
- Champaign County: 297
- Clark County: 276
- Clinton County: 2,504
- Darke County: 109
- Greene County: 10,155
- Logan County: 13
- Mercer County: 2
- Miami County: 433
- Montgomery County: 30,720
- Preble County: 3,132
- Shelby County: 10
- Warren County: 1,312
Meanwhile, an additional report from Duke Energy notes that 691 outages are affecting customers in Butler, Clinton, Montgomery, Preble, and Warren counties. The specific numbers from Duke Energy are as follows:
- Butler County: 4,620
- Clinton County: 176
- Montgomery County: 181
- Preble County: 23
- Warren County: 7,780
Ohio Edison also reported outages, affecting 1,053 customers in Clark County, 94 in Champaign County, and 46 in Greene County.
Restoration Efforts Underway
According to AES Ohio spokesperson Mary Ann Kable, the utility crews have been working tirelessly to restore power to their constituents. During an update on News Center 7, she indicated that the teams are encountering significant challenges. One of the primary hindrances has been the numerous trees and branches that have fallen onto power lines, complicating restoration efforts.
Kable expressed cautious optimism, noting that crews from AES Ohio and contracted services are mobilized and making progress. With daylight returning and the high winds subsiding, there is hope that restoration efforts will accelerate as crews assess the damage more effectively and safely.
A Community in Recovery
The ongoing outages paint a vivid picture of the impact of unexpected severe weather and the resilience of the affected communities. While many customers remain without power, the sheer effort of utility workers, alongside emergency crews and community volunteers, underscores the solidarity that often arises in challenging times.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and updated on potential restoration timelines and additional safety measures they can take during these outages. For real-time alerts and news updates, individuals can download the Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as developments unfold.
As crews face these daunting obstacles head-on, the community’s patience and understanding are vital as they work toward restoring normalcy to the lives affected by this severe weather event.