Spring brings blooming flowers and sunshine, but it also brings the risk of severe weather. Ohio’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, from March 16-22, was created to remind Ohioans to prepare for severe weather. AEP Ohio, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, is reminding customers to review and practice emergency plans.
“Our crews work every day to take steps that will help prevent power outages during severe weather,” said Josh McQueen, AEP Ohio’s emergency preparedness manager. “If severe weather hits and outages occur, our crews are ready to respond. We want our customers to be ready, too — especially the elderly and those who rely on life-supporting equipment and have other medical needs. It is essential to be prepared and know what to do before, during and after extreme weather events.”
AEP Ohio suggests Ohioans follow these five simple tips to help keep themselves and their loved ones safe, prepared and connected in the event of severe weather and power outages:
Tip 1: Plan Ahead
Develop a strategy for emergencies. Identify a safe area ahead of time so everyone knows where to go if severe weather strikes. Include pets in your plan and check with those who are elderly, have health conditions or have young children to make sure they have a plan, too. We strongly encourage customers with life-supporting medical equipment to have a backup power source and an alternate plan in the event of a power outage.
Tip 2: Make an Emergency Kit
Put together an emergency preparedness kit that includes, at a minimum, non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, fresh batteries, a battery-powered radio or television, fully charged portable chargers, a blanket or sleeping bag, a first aid kit and any necessary medications.
Tip 3: Prepare Your Property
Storms can often bring high winds that can easily toss loose objects like lawn furniture, umbrellas and even trampolines across a yard — and potentially into power lines. Before severe weather strikes, secure any items that could become airborne. And if the lights go out, remember to unplug electronics and appliances to protect them when the power is restored.
Tip 4: Stay Away, Stay Alive
Remember, all downed lines are dangerous. They carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you encounter a downed line, please stay as far away as possible from it and anything it may be touching. Call 911 or AEP Ohio at 800-672-2231 to report safety hazards.
Tip 5: Stay Connected
If inclement weather causes power outages, it’s easy to stay connected with AEP Ohio to report your outage and receive the latest information. You can sign up for text alerts, visit our outage map and follow us on Facebook and X for updates.
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About AEP Ohio
AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power. AEP Ohio provides electricity to 1.5 million customers. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at AEPOhio.com.
Our team at American Electric Power is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We are investing $54 billion from 2025 through 2029 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 16,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit aep.com.