LG&E, KU send crews to assist with storm restoration
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Kentucky had a
target painted on it by the National Weather Service this past Sunday, but our customers largely dodged that weather
bullet.
Throughout Sunday, most of Kentucky was placed under a tornado watch. Our Earlington Operations service area, located in western Kentucky, was hit with some wicked weather as the storm pushed through the state.
Throughout Sunday, most of Kentucky was placed under a tornado watch. Our Earlington Operations service area, located in western Kentucky, was hit with some wicked weather as the storm pushed through the state.
An EF3 tornado touched down 1.2
miles northeast of Morganfield and traveled 14.5 miles on the ground, causing
damage to our electric transmission and distribution systems in that
area.
At peak, we had more than 4,500 customers without power, with seven transmission structures and eight distribution poles reported as damaged.
Minimal storm damage and customer outages occurred in other areas of the state that we serve, and all impacted customers were restored headed into Monday morning.
At peak, we had more than 4,500 customers without power, with seven transmission structures and eight distribution poles reported as damaged.
Minimal storm damage and customer outages occurred in other areas of the state that we serve, and all impacted customers were restored headed into Monday morning.
Crews head north to help
Unfortunately, electric companies to the north of us weren't so lucky. As of 8 p.m. Sunday night, utility companies in Indiana and Michigan experienced nearly 600,000 customer outages.
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Above: Utility workers from 21 states, including Kentucky, lent
restoration assistance to us in 2009 after a record ice storm caused more than
400,000 outages in our service territory.
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As part of our participation in mutual assistance organizations, we released more than 150 contract distribution
line technicians to Consumers Electric, American Electric Power, and Northern
Indiana Public Service Company to assist with restoration efforts in Indiana and
Michigan.
Our company has a long history of helping other utilities in need during major restorations.
With each event, however, we always keep sufficient resources in place at home to handle inclement weather and
day-to-day business, such as emergency situations and maintenance.
How you can help assist tornado victims
The American Red Cross provides people in crisis today with hope for tomorrow. They're also on the scene in the affected areas helping families recover from this past weekend's storms. You can donate today and help them in their mission.
Until next time, be safe and keep using energy wisely.
