Efforts to restore electricity knocked out during this week’s ice storm are expected to continue into the weekend. A sizeable section of northeast Kentucky has been affected.
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Vice President Joe Arnold says about 50,000 co-op members were without power at one time. He said that number stood at around 13,000 midday Friday. But Arnold noted some of the remaining issues could take through the weekend to address and that could present health risks. “If the heat is not on perhaps to find an alternate place, a relative or friend to be able to stay during this time because the temperatures over the weekend are going to get down to the single digits. Could be very dangerous,” said Arnold.
Arnold said drones have been used to help run wire in these areas.
Louisville Gas and Electric-Kentucky Utilities Spokesperson Natasha Collins said additional power interruptions can occur as ice melts off trees and they spring back to pre-storm stature. “Assuming that we have cold temperatures that maintain the ice, we won’t see that melt and that rebound of those branches potentially for several days,” explained Collins.
Collins added the aim is to see the bulk of the 34,000 KU customers impacted by ice with restored power by midnight Friday. Kentucky Power’s Bob Shurtleff noted electricity restoration will hopefully reach 95% by Monday evening.
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