News Summary
Severe weather in Kentucky has caused widespread power outages, impacting approximately 1,700 residents of the Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation. Initial reports indicated over 170,000 customers lost electricity, but restoration efforts have made significant progress. WRECC has notified that around 90% of affected customers have had their service restored, with additional crews deployed to assist in the recovery process. Storm damages have affected various counties, raising public safety concerns as crews continue working to restore power.
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Severe weather that swept through Kentucky on Friday evening has left approximately 1,700 residents of the Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation (WRECC) without power as of 8 p.m. on Saturday. The storm initially caused over 170,000 Kentuckians to lose electricity, as reported by Governor Andy Beshear.
Efforts to restore power have made significant progress, with around 90% of customers who experienced outages during the storms having their service restored. WRECC crews are currently working around the clock to resolve the remaining outages, having replaced 27 out of 51 broken utility poles. To accelerate restoration efforts, an additional 26 crews from other states, including Tennessee and Georgia, have arrived on-site to assist.
The storms have also affected multiple counties in South Central Kentucky, including Warren, Logan, Simpson, Butler, and Grayson. In Bowling Green, Pennyrile Electric reported at 11 a.m. on Saturday that over 6,500 of their customers were still without power, although, by 4 p.m., no active outages were noted in Bowling Green’s service area.
Significant damage due to the storms has been documented, including the destruction of a light pole on a greenway trail and reports of vehicles being flipped over. These incidents highlight the severity of the weather conditions faced in the region.
Public Information Officer Kim Phelps has emphasized the importance of safety during this time. Residents are urged to avoid work areas while crews are engaged in restoration efforts. For those in Warren County who encounter downed power lines, they are encouraged to report the situation by calling 270-843-9710. Residents outside Warren County can reach out to the utility service at 1-888-604-4321.
The restoration process may be hindered by challenging conditions, including high water levels in specific areas. WRECC has communicated its commitment to restoring power as safely and promptly as possible, and the situation is currently fluid, necessitating patience from residents as they navigate these hardships.
As the weather situation continues to improve, utility crews remain focused on restoring power to the remaining affected households and ensuring that public safety is prioritized. The combined efforts of local and out-of-state crews aim to bring relief to the community in the wake of this severe weather event.
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Additional Resources
- WBKO: Thousands Without Power Across Southern Kentucky
- Google Search: Power Outages Southern Kentucky
- BG Daily News: Friday Storm Weather
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- WLWT: Power Outages in Cincinnati
- Google News: Severe Storms Kentucky
- WNKY: Power Outages from Cavemill Substation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Power Outages
