At least five electric cooperatives from Kentucky are sending teams to Ohio to help restore power after a cluster of severe thunderstorms made their way across the Buckeye State. More than 300,000 people were left without electricity.
Cooperatives are sending seventeen two-member crews to help. The line technicians are from Owen Electric, Kenergy Corp, Fleming-Mason Energy, Jackson Energy and Nolin RECC.
The National Weather Service confirmed a derecho in the area with winds topping 70 mph. A derecho is a widespread storm that produces damaging straight-line winds The storms downed hundreds of power lines and flooded roads.
In a statement from Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, officials say Kentucky often sends crews to other states in the aftermath of a disaster. In 2021, over 160 crew members went to Louisiana to help after Hurricane Ida.
