Residents of eastern and central Kentucky are experiencing scattered power outages as the remnants of Hurricane Helene travel north.
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, which represents 26 co-ops statewide, says around 40,000 of their customers are without power as of noon today. Those outages are mostly in eastern Kentucky.
Powell, Menifee, Estill, Lee, Owsley and Leslie counties are among the hardest hit.
Kentucky Utilities also reports more than 50,000 without power in their service area in central Kentucky, mostly in and around Lexington.
In Harlan County, emergency officials are dealing with several power lines and trees that have come down on the roads.
A tree struck one home and injured the woman inside. Another home had a tree limb come through a window, but no one was injured.
Kentucky Utilities also reports more than 50,000 without power in their service area in central Kentucky, mostly in and around Lexington.
An 11 a.m. update from Kentucky Power, which mostly serves southeast Kentucky, reports another 9,500 without power.
Kentucky Electric Cooperative spokesman Joe Arnold says it’s important to stay prepared.
“If your power is still on, charge your phone now,” Arnold said. “Check to see if you have a flashlight with batteries. Identify where your weather radio is with batteries, if you still have power, and also make sure you have some non-perishable food and your regular emergency kit that we hope everyone keeps.”
Arnold also says to stay indoors even after the storm has passed, to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles and power crews. He also says to stay away from downed power lines, and to call both 911 or your local utility when they’re spotted.
A live tracker of power outages from all utilities can be found online here.
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