FRANKFORT -- As National Weather Service forecasters predict a major snow fall throughout eastern Kentucky and much of the state, Kentucky Power officials made initial preparations to address power outages that may result from the storm.
 
Company officials from each of its operating districts held conference calls over the past two days to review logistics and examine readiness as 6-12 inches of snow is expected to fall Friday night and Saturday.
 
In preparation, the company is asking employees in its Hazard and Pikeville Districts to report to work Saturday morning and to be ready to respond to outage cases that may arise. "Although we are not expecting a wet, heavy snow like we received last month, we are preparing nonetheless to address power outages that may result from this storm as safely and quickly as possible," said Mike Lasslo, manager, distribution and customer services in Hazard.
 
"Expect the best, but prepare for the worst, is our motto today," said Bob Shurtleff, manager, distribution and customer service in Pikeville. "Preparing our crews, vehicles and equipment to respond to outages before they occur helps us to respond more safely and rapidly when they do," he said.
 
The company also cautions customers to prepare for outages. They advise customers to always have on hand a home emergency kit that includes items such as flashlights, battery-powered radios, extra batteries, bottled water, blankets, non-perishable foods and other items that may be needed during extended power outages. The company also advises customers to report power outages by calling toll free, 1-800-572-1113.
 
In the event the storm does cause power lines to fall, the company cautions residents to never approach downed power lines or wires of any type. No matter how harmless a downed wire may appear it should be considered energized and dangerous. Report all downed power lines to Kentucky Power at (800) 572-1113 or notify local emergency or law enforcement officials immediately. Never approach or touch anything that comes in contact with a downed power line. Keep in mind that the heavy snow may cover downed power lines.
 
Customers and media representatives can track information about this storm and Kentucky Power’s efforts to restore power by going to www.kentuckypower.com. The site provides additional storm related information including a map of outages cases by county.
 
Kentucky Power is an operating unit of American Electric Power and provides electricity to approximately 175,000 customers in all or parts of 20 Eastern Kentucky counties.
 
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as 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 and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.

 
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