ASHLAND, Ky., December 8, 2022 – Before the cold, ice and snow become a common occurrence in eastern Kentucky weather forecasts, Kentucky Power is urging customers to take the necessary steps to be ready and stay safe throughout the winter.

“Just as our crews stay prepared for winter storms and outages by participating in drills and reviewing time-tested restoration action plans, we want our customers to be prepared for weather-related incidents,” said Everett Phillips, vice president of distribution operations. “Because weather can be unpredictable, it's always good to be prepared for whatever conditions occur, especially if those conditions cause power outages.”

Customers can take steps to safely prepare for winter weather and outages that may impact them by doing the following:

• Ensure an adequate supply of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods, medicines, etc., as well as the availability of a portable, battery-operated radio, TV or weather radio.
• Customers should make alternate shelter arrangements as needed if you will be significantly impacted by a loss of power – especially families who have special medical needs or elderly members.
• Be aware that snow can cause hazardous driving conditions resulting in traffic accidents and downed power poles resulting in isolated outages. If you are driving and encounter emergency responders or other roadside work crews, remember to move over.
• If you use a generator due to a power outage, follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure safe and proper operation. Operate your generator outside; never operate it inside a building or garage.
• Don't use grills or other outdoor appliances or equipment indoors for space heating or cooking, as these devices may emit carbon monoxide.
• Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees or limbs in contact with lines. Please report downed power lines to Kentucky Power or local emergency services.

­­­­When outages or downed powerlines occur, customers can report these and check the latest restoration information for their account anytime at kentuckypower.com/outages or by downloading the Kentucky Power mobile app at kentuckypower.com/app. The app allows customers to easily report their outage by scanning the barcode on their meter. Customers also can call Customer Operations Center at 1-800-572-1113.

Customers also can get specific information about outages via text message and/or email by subscribing to Kentucky Power outage alerts. To sign up, go to kentuckypower.com/alerts. Information also is posted on Facebook at facebook.com/KentuckyPower and on Twitter at twitter.com/KentuckyPower or @KentuckyPower.

Kentucky Power, with headquarters in Ashland, provides electric service to about 164,000 customers in 20 eastern Kentucky counties. Kentucky Power is an operating company in the American Electric Power system, one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S.