Winter Storm Blair Update #3: Appalachian Power mobilizes outside crews to aid in restoration
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 – 8:30 p.m.
Situation
Appalachian Power's Storm Response Team has mobilized 700 additional line and support contractors, with another 250 on standby, to join its workforce ahead of Winter Storm Blair's impact. The winter storm system is blanketing much of the company's Southern West Virginia and Southern Virginia service areas with snow, sleet and up to 0.50" of ice. The winter storm could cause extended power outages; the company urges customers to be prepared, especially those requiring electricity for medical devices.
Weather
- Light-to-moderate ice accumulations of up to 0.50" are expected in most of the company's Virginia and West Virginia service areas. Snow accumulations of 8-12" are predicted in the Wheeling, W.Va., area.
- Ice accumulations over a quarter inch weigh down trees and electric lines and can cause utility problems.
- Extreme cold temperatures can cause line overload problems when trying to restore a large number of customers. In many cases, we must restore large outages in smaller groups, letting the electric load settle before restoring additional customers. Customers with outages can assist by turning off large electric users, such as heaters and water heaters until 15 or more minutes after power has been restored.
Storm Preparation Efforts
- Appalachian Power has developed comprehensive severe and icy weather action plans, adapting to changing forecasts, and is prepared to respond to any potential service interruptions promptly and safely.
- Nearly 5,000 personnel across the company’s footprint are dedicated to power restoration.
- Crews are outfitted and fully uniformed with necessary cold-weather gear to prepare for wintry weather working conditions. Crews have assured that trucks are ready for the winter storm, including checking tires and ensuring all service vehicles are fueled and fully stocked to respond to any outage situation.
- Appalachian Power’s generation facilities follow specific protocols and procedures to combat the expected winter weather and ensure safe and reliable operations across our entire generation fleet.
- Over the last several days, AEP has been in contact with PJM, the regional transmission organization responsible for monitoring the power grid in 13 states, about any potential impacts to the power grid and will take direction from them as necessary.
How Appalachian Power Restores Power
- In a major power outage, priority is given to restoring circuits that deliver electricity to essential public safety facilities such as hospitals, 911 call centers, water treatment plants, and police and fire stations.
- Next, Appalachian Power will perform repairs to restore electric service to the largest pockets of customers in the shortest amount of time. Sometimes, a single repair can restore service to hundreds or thousands of customers. Appalachian Power will then move on to repair portions of circuits that restore service to smaller pockets of customers. These repairs may restore service to dozens of customers when completed.
- In the final phase, power is restored to individual homes and businesses. This phase of the restoration process can be time-consuming after a significant storm because there are so many of these kinds of repairs.
Prepare an Emergency Outage Kit
Appalachian Power's grid is robustly designed and constructed to withstand Appalachian weather. However, no system is entirely immune to nature's forces. Gather an emergency outage kit that includes:
- Flashlights and fresh batteries
- Battery-powered radios or televisions
- Candles, matches or lighters
- Water for drinking and cooking
- Portable heater, either oil or gas (Note: Some portable heaters can cause fires or other safety hazards when not used as specified by the manufacturer. Be sure to review the safety specifications of your specific model before using it during an outage.)
- Camping equipment like sleeping bags, camp stoves and lanterns
- Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
- Manufacturers' instructions for your generator (if you have one)
- Instructions for how to manually open your garage door
- Important over-the-counter medicines
Click here for additional safety tips and here for ways to save energy during low temperatures.
For More Information
Customers can get specific information about the outages affecting their accounts via text message and/or email by subscribing to Appalachian Power outage alerts. To sign up, please visit Appalachian Power alerts.
A snapshot view of current outages is available anytime by visiting Appalachian Power's Outage Map.
Next Update: Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 – 9 a.m.