More than 10,000 AEP customers still without power

ROANOKE, Va. – An AEP spokeswoman said that with just over 10,000 customers currently without power, crews will spend Saturday working to get electric service restored to most of these remaining customers.

Update, 9:45 a.m. Saturday:

Spokeswoman Teresa Hall sent the following statement Saturday morning:

Situation
Significant progress has been made in the 36 hours since the remnants of Tropical Storm Michael hit the Virginia service territory and knocked out power to more than 25,000 customers. 

The hardest hit areas are in Henry and Patrick counties, where high winds destroyed poles and took down power lines. Flooding in these areas has also lead to access issues with many roads washed away due to high water. 

The bulk of customers in these two counties should see power restored by 10 p.m. Sunday. However, in isolated instances where damage is most severe, restoration could extend into Monday.

As outages are cleared, crews will move into these more heavily damaged areas to assist in restoration. Customers in these areas should check the Outage Map at www.AppalachianPower/OutageMap for the most up-to-date restoration times. 

Outages
More than 10,000 customers are currently without power in Virginia. Areas in the state with large numbers of customers affected by the storms include:

Number of Customers Out:
Henry: 4,209
Patrick: 2,976
Franklin: 1,428
Pittsylvania: 561
Bedford: 428

Storm Response Efforts
More than 500 workers are taking part in restoration efforts. Appalachian Power has moved company and contract line workers from West Virginia and Tennessee to assist local crews with damage assessment and service restoration. The company has also secured some additional help from Kentucky Power and AEP Ohio. 

Restoration Estimates
In the Henry and Patrick counties, restoration should be complete by 10 p.m. Sunday. 

In Bedford, Franklin, Lynchburg (city), Pittsylvania and Roanoke counties, restoration should be complete by noon Sunday.  

The rest of the affected areas should see power service returned be end of day today.   

A vast majority of customers will see their power restored well before these estimated times. New restoration times may be available for the outages in your area. Check our Outage Map at www.AppalachianPower/OutageMap for more info. 

Weather
Today’s forecast calls for clear and cool weather, which will aid in the restoration efforts. 

Outage-specific Restoration Information
Expected restoration times are different for each place where a repair needs made. Customers are urged to get information on the specific outage that affects their service by viewing the outage map at www.appalachianpower.com, or by signing up at www.appalachianpower.com/alerts to receive automatic updates on outages that affect their service.  

Safety Message
Stay away from all downed lines or sparking equipment, and keep children and pets away from fallen lines and anything the lines may touch. Additional safety tips are posted at https://www.appalachianpower.com/outages/faq/OutageSafetyTips.aspx.

Original story, 8:34 p.m. Friday:

As the flood waters recede, more than 13,000 Appalachian Power customers are still without power according to AEP. 

AEP cites their 500 workers on the ground Friday as the reason why the number of customers in the dark went down from last night's 25,000 to today's 13,000 customers. 

The company says that the damage is the most severe in Henry and Patrick counties where multiple transmission and distribution stations were impacted by the storm. 

Restoration efforts in Henry and Patrick counties should be complete by Sunday at 10 p.m., according to AEP. The company says that restoration in Bedford, Franklin, the city of Lynchburg, Pittsylvania and Roanoke counties should be complete by noon Sunday.  

AEP says the rest of the affected areas should see power service returned on Saturday.   

Here's a breakdown of customers still without power, according to AEP: