More than 250,000 American Electric Power customers across the state remained without power Thursday morning.
According to AEP, power was restored to 74 percent of customers in Franklin County on Thursday. The lights were still off for 16 percent of customers in Delaware County and 37 percent of customers in Licking County.
The lights came back on for some people living in Westerville on Wednesday night.
"It's a blessing, this is definitely great," said Jeremy Simpson.
"Oh, wonderful, those guys are great," said Lucy Curran.
Crews from 15 states and Canada arrived in central Ohio on Wednesday to help restore power to hundreds of thousands of customers who lost electricity service in Sunday's wind storm.
Many of the crews came straight from the south where they were helping to restore power after numerous hurricanes, 10TV's Tino Ramos reported.
"We've been down with Hurricane Dennis, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita," said Jamie Helmick, a worker from Pennsylvania. "It's just something that you do."
Another worker, Jeff Caudill, said he had not been to his home in Delaware in two weeks. Before arriving in Columbus, he worked in parts of Louisiana that were devastated by hurricanes.
"Most people up here have been nice and understanding," said Caudill. "People who have only been out for three days need to understand that people in Louisiana have been out for weeks.
On Madrid Drive in Worthington, crews from Kentucky worked to repair five utility poles that came down during Sunday's storm, 10TV's Maureen Kocot reported.
Lucy and Mike Curran said they fled from their home when they realized that live power lines were spread out over their back yard. The couple has since returned to their home, but they've been without power since Sunday.
Mike Curran is recovering from a stroke, which made living in the dark more difficult. Lucy Curran said she had been forced to keep all her husband's medicine in a cooler in the kitchen.
On Wednesday afternoon, repairmen told Lucy Curran that power would be restored sometime during the evening hours.
In the critical hours after the storm hit, AEP focused on restoring power to emergency services,
like hospitals, and police and fire stations. Now repair crews have moved on to fixing main
distribution lines that are linked directly to power substations, which provide power to entire
neighborhoods, 10TV News reported.
Once the main lines are restored, crews tackle distribution lines that affect the most homes.
Smaller lines that serve only clusters of homes are repaired next.
Earlier this week, AEP officials said it expected to have all service restored in Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Madison, Marion and Morrow counties by the end of the day Sunday. The power should be on in Fairfield and Hocking counties by the end of the day Friday, while service in Ross County should be completely restored by Saturday.
Columbus City Schools announced that it would be closed for a fourth straight day on Thursday. District spokesman Jeff Warner said administrators had also canceled Friday classes for elementary and middle school students, 10TV News reported.
Warner said high schools would be session Friday, as long as all buildings had power.
On Wednesday afternoon, 30 buildings in the district were still without electricity.
Dozens of gas stations remained closed early Wednesday because of power outages and supply shortages. Numerous branches and fallen trees were still blocking roads and authorities continue to urge residents to avoid driving in many areas.
The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio National Guard are assisting utility workers and assisting communities in removing debris from roads.
At least five people were struck and killed by toppled trees and branches. A sixth person was electrocuted while working on a generator on Monday morning, 10TV News reported.
The American Red Cross opened an emergency at the Ohio State Fairgrounds with the Red Cross and local government agencies were operating shelters in other areas of the state.
AEP's county-by-county breakdown of power outages includes:
Coshocton: 3,036 without power
Delaware: 7,153
Fairfield: 5,060
Franklin: 133,868
Guernsey: 978
Hocking: 1,683
Holmes: 2,820
Knox: 8,350
Licking: 24,731
Madison: 226
Morrow: 985
Muskingum: 7,247
Perry: 2,154
Pickaway: 180
Richland: 2,641
Ross: 114
Union: 333
Washington: 251
To report outages to AEP, call AEP customer service at 800-277-2177.
Numerous damage reports have been called and e-mailed into the 10TV Newsroom. Click here to send us damage reports from Sunday's storms.
The 10TV Newsroom is also receiving dismissals and closings for schools and businesses. Click here for the updated list.
Live Doppler 10 meteorologist Mike Davis said that the next several days should be calm across central Ohio. Click for his updated forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following frequently asked questions were provided by the City of Columbus:
Who do I call to report a power outage?
Columbus power customers without electricity should call 614-645-1518, 645-6174 or 615-7626.
American Electric Power customers without power should call 800-277-2177.
What should I do when I see an inoperable traffic light?
Drive slowly and cautiously and treat all inoperative traffic lights as four-way stops.
What if I see a dangling power line?
Avoid all damaged power lines, and report them to 911. Citizens reporting
non-emergency service issues, such as a downed tree blocking a street, should call
614-645-3111.
How do I know if a downed line has already been reported?
If you see yellow, orange or red scene tape the fire department has already responded, there
is no need to call again. Call 911 if the wires are causing a fire.
How do I find out if my child's school is open tomorrow?
Columbus City Schools parents and students can call 614-365-8888 or go online at
www.columbus.k12.oh.us.
Are regular emergency services up and running?
Yes, citizens reporting any emergency should continue to call 911. Citizens reporting
non-emergency crimes should call 614-645-4545.
What do I do with tree limbs in my own yard?
Put yard waste in biodegradable bags near the curb for collection on your scheduled
collection day. Bundle sticks and tree limbs with twine or string-but keep bundles no more than
four feet long and two feet wide. Larger limbs must be cut up or collected by a private agency. Do
not risk serious injury by climbing trees or rooftops to cut limbs yourself if you are not a
professional. Yard waste can also be taken free of charge 7-3 to the City of Columbus Compost
Facility at 7000 Jackson Pike (State Route 104). For hours and directions call the Compost Facility
at 614-645-3153.
I have a generator. Is it safe to use?
If you have a generator, use it safely by keeping it outdoors or in a ventilated area.
What should I do for light indoors?
Use flashlights instead of candles whenever possible, and never leave a lit candle unattended
or within the reach of a child.
What if I need a temporary shelter?
Residents whose homes are uninhabitable due to severe damage should call the American Red
Cross at 614-251-1443.
How long can I keep my food?
Discard perishable food that has been in the refrigerator for eight hours since the power
went off and in the freezer for 24 hours since the loss of electricity. Previously cooked leftovers
should be discarded after four hours in a closed refrigerator. Perishables are unsafe for
consumption at temperatures higher than 41 degrees. Licensed food markets, restaurants, delis and
other food service operations utilizing commercial refrigeration equipment are advised to monitor
internal food temperatures. Food items that reach 41F or higher must be cooked and served within 4
hours of reaching that temperature, or they are considered unsafe and must be discarded.
How about medicine that I keep refrigerated?
Ask your pharmacist.
Should I continue to use water regularly?
Conserve water as much as possible, especially in three areas: North of Dublin-Granville Road
(State Route 161) between Dublin and New Albany; Portions of Hilliard north of Scioto Darby Road
and northwest of Cemetery and Avery Roads; the City of Reynoldsburg. Residents in those areas are
asked to limit water usage by not watering their lawns, turning off water while brushing their
teeth and taking shorter showers.
I have power. What can I do to help?
Check in on neighbors without power, especially senior citizens or those with health
problems. Help clear debris from streets, yards and sidewalks in your neighborhood.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
