UPDATE, 1 p.m. — Power outages have continued to grow across Appalachia throughout the early afternoon, with more than a quarter of a million customers without power in the Appalachian areas of Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.
More than 24,000 customers are without power in Eastern Kentucky. That includes 18,129 Kentucky Power customers, 2,047 Big Sandy RECC customers, and 3,887 Licking Valley RECC customers.
Appalachian Power was reporting more than 229,000 outages in West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. Those include more than 1,700 outages combined in Mingo and Logan counties, nearly 3,700 in Buchanan County, more than 2,800 in Dickenson County and more than 700 in Wise County.
UPDATE, noon — Power outages have steadily increased throughout the morning, with more than 218,000 customers now without power.
More than 17,000 customers are without power in Eastern Kentucky. That includes 13,802 Kentucky Power customers and 2,996 Licking Valley RECC customers. At last report, Big Sandy RECC customers reported nearly 900 outages, but the utility’s reporting system was not working at noon.
Appalachian Power was reporting more than 200,000 outages in West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. Those include less than 600 outages combined in Mingo and Logan counties, nearly 3,500 in Buchanan County, more than 2,200 in Dickenson County and more than 700 in Wise County.
ORIGINAL STORY, 11 a.m. — Strong winds from the remnants of Hurricane Helene began taking a toll on power lines Friday morning, leading to outages across the region.
Across Eastern Kentucky, Mountain Top News is currently tracking more than 11,600 outages. Those include more than 9,500 Kentucky Power customers, nearly 900 Big Sandy RECC customers and nearly 1,300 Licking Valley RECC customers.
Pike County is currently showing the most outages in the Kentucky Power system, with nearly 3,000.
There are even worse problems in West Virginia and southwestern Virginia, where Appalachian Power is reporting nearly 145,000 customers are currently without power. Those include more than 900 in Dickenson County and more than 2,100 in Buchanan County.
