Local residents continue without power
Posted Feb12, 2008 at 08:33 AM
Residents in Roanoke City and Roanoke County continue to be the most affected by power outages that occurred after high winds knocked down trees and sent debris into power lines Sunday, according to Appalachian Power Co.
As of 6:30 a.m., 12,079 customers or 24 percent of the total 50,311 customers in Roanoke City are without power. In Roanoke County, 6,074 customers or 14 percent of the total 43,755 customers are without power.
After Roanoke City and County, the following counties have the greatest percentages of customers with out power: Botetourt with 13 percent, Bedford with 6 percent, Campbell with 4 percent, Franklin with 2 percent, Pulaski with 8 percent, and Wythe with 6 percent.
Counties that are moderately affected include Henry, Montgomery, Floyd and Carroll, according to Appalachian Power Co.
Approximately, 28,197 or 5 percent of the total 521,935 Appalachian Power Co. customers in Virginia are without power this morning.
Todd Burns, spokesman for Appalachian Power Co., said Monday that he does not expect power to be completely restored in the Roanoke area until Thursday night or even Friday.
Numbers continue to fluctuate as power is restored. For more information, visit www.aepcustomer.com.
-- Jessica Marcy
Comments
[February 12, 2008 9:40 AM]
JuneI want to commend AEP for how they have worked tirelessly to get the power on to an many customers as possible, as quickly as possible. When first went off, it must have looked like an overwhelming job, but they took it one at a time and have done a wonderful job of restoring power as quickly as possible. THANK YOU AEP EMPLOYEES.
[February 12, 2008 2:17 PM]
SandyI too want to give a HUGE thanks for AEP and their coordination with other power operatives to work tirelessly to restore power as soon as possible. I know how cold I have been, even wrapped in blankets. I can't imagine how cold they must be out there all day and night. A HUGE THANK YOU!!
[February 12, 2008 2:23 PM]
ThracianWhile I heartily agree and commend the AEP employees on site working to restore power I can't say the same for AEP the company. Power outages seem to be a way of life here. Cannot something be done to upgrade the stability of the equipment to better withstand weather problems that are common to our area? Wind like we've seen is not at all uncommon in our area nor are the storms and such that produce the same results. Can't something be done so this doesn't have to be a yearly if not a constant problem? It amazes me the way we sympathetically get behind AEP when these things occur as if it's entirely beyond their ability to prevent. Perhaps upgrades are happening. I imagine though that AEP would rather leave things as they are than invest money to upgrade, particularly when the general populace doesn't see them as partly to blame. Notice the pictures of blown down poles. The wood is gray and almost splintery looking from age. Perhaps I'm still smarting from the "accidental" rate overcharge we all recently experienced to be as sympathetic as I should.
[February 12, 2008 2:48 PM]
TinaI would like to give my thanks and support to all of the AEP employees, the firefighters, rescue workers, police officers, and volunteers that have all been tirelessly working hard to get our surrounding areas up and running again and keeping everyone as safe as possible. THANK YOU!!!