High winds reaching hurricane force have knocked out power for over 60,000 customers across Ohio’s Miami Valley this afternoon, according to utility provider AES Ohio. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts up to 77 mph at Dayton International Airport, causing widespread damage to electrical infrastructure. AES Ohio crews are currently assessing the damage and working on restoration, though no estimated restoration times have been provided for the affected areas.
Key Takeaways:
- Over 60,000 AES Ohio customers are without power as of 3:40 p.m. Friday.
- The National Weather Service recorded wind gusts up to 77 mph in Dayton.
- Outage numbers escalated rapidly, jumping from 8,735 to over 60,000 in two hours.
- A High Wind Warning remains in effect for the region.
Hurricane-Force Gusts Wreak Havoc
The National Weather Service confirmed extreme wind conditions throughout the day, with sustained gusts between 50 and 60 mph and peak speeds hitting 77 mph. These winds, comparable to a Category 1 hurricane, are responsible for downed trees and power lines across multiple counties. The weather service continues to warn residents of dangerous conditions.
Utility Struggles with Escalating Outages
AES Ohio’s outage map showed a rapid deterioration in service. Outages spiked from just over 8,700 customers at 1:35 p.m. to more than 33,000 by 2:20 p.m., before ultimately surpassing 60,000. The utility company has activated its emergency response protocols but has not specified which communities are most affected or the cause of the cascading failures.
Safety Warnings Issued for Affected Residents
Emergency officials advise residents to treat all downed power lines as live and dangerous. Prolonged outages may affect critical services, and individuals relying on electricity for medical equipment are urged to have backup plans. Motorists are also warned to be cautious of debris and non-functioning traffic signals on roadways.
