Winter weather hits Northeast Ohio: Power outages, snow emergencies

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Winter storms are now beginning to hit parts of Northeast Ohio, potentially leading to impacts for you and your family at home.

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SNOW EMERGENCIES

Authorities in Huron, Richland and Sandusky counties have issued a Level 1 Snow Emergency.

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness explains the snow emergency classifications as such:

LEVEL 1: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously.

LEVEL 2: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work. Motorists should use extreme caution.

LEVEL 3: All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel or a personal emergency exists. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest.

POWER OUTAGES

FirstEnergy has been preparing for this storm, urging people to stay safe over the weekend.

According to FirstEnergy, 61,100 customers across The Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison lost power due to storms early this week.

As a result of the outages from the previous storm, and the storms to come, FirstEnergy said: “More than 5,000 line workers, hazard responders, forestry crews, contractors, safety and other support personnel have been involved in storm response, including resources from outside the company. Staffing of appropriate resources will continue through the weekend to respond to any outages that may occur from the new storm.”

FirstEnergy is most concerned about fallen trees related to outages. Fallen trees can make restoring power increasingly difficult, meaning your time in the dark may be far longer than you hoped.

Click these links for the latest power outage numbers from FirstEnergy and AEP.

First Energy

25,225

ASHTABULA (OH) 4,503

CUYAHOGA (OH) 7,335

GEAUGA (OH) 2,288

MEDINA (OH) 1,313

LAKE (OH) 3,493

SUMMIT (OH) 2,732

AEP

1,741

Richland 1,211

FirstEnergy is asking anyone who loses power to report the outage and to maintain a distance from downed powerlines.

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