11 p.m.
OPPD and mutual aid crews continue to make progress on outages. We are estimating that by midnight, we will have 85%, or 158,000 customers restored from a peak of 188,000.
The utility has set ambitious but realistic goals for restoration, which include:
- 95% restoration by Monday at 11:59 p.m.
- 99% restoration by Tuesday at 11:59 p.m.
- 100% completion by Friday at 11:59 p.m., but that may vary. We always aim for sooner, but this restoration effort may be similar to past storm patterns because final restoration relies on coordination from customers, OPPD and the availability of local electricians. This storm is even more complex because very large trees have impeded progress and caused extensive damage.
6:45 p.m.
OPPD and mutual aid crews have made good progress Sunday on outages. We are estimating that by midnight, we will have 85%, or 158,000 customers restored from a peak of 188,000. Due to the extensive and complex tree damage, the remaining 30,000 customers will have restoration stretch longer.
We apologize for and understand the inconvenience a prolonged outage causes and we are thankful our customers have shown our crews and mutual aid partners appreciation and understanding as they work around the clock to bring back service.
1:15 p.m.
Outage numbers continue to fall Sunday, with approximately 56,000 remaining without power. That means more than 132,000 customers have now had power restored. The peak of outages occurred early Saturday morning with 188,000.
Crews and mutual aid partners are encountering snarled lines twisted in downed tree limbs. In come cases, entire trees have fallen into power lines. Some power poles have also been snapped in half in some locations, with multiple poles down on lines in some cases.
The work around the remaining outages is very involved, requiring tree removal first. Then, crews can enter an area to re-energize a line.
Some customers are reporting downed lines on their property. Please report downed lines to 1-800-554-6773. And remember: NEVER TOUCH OR MOVE A DOWNED POWER LINE. ALWAYS ASSUME IT IS ENERGIZED.
11 a.m.
More than 500 line personnel are working hard today to restore those without power after yesterday morning’s storm.
The work continues, and involves complex work. For example, densely treed areas require large limbs – and sometimes entire trees – to be removed before lines can be accessed and re-energized. And at other times, crews must first ensure a circuit is not energized before they can work on it, and must take into account the intricacies of the system.
Mutual aid crews receive a safety briefing from OPPD Safety personnel prior to being dispatched for restoration work on July 11, 2021.
This work can be time-consuming and tedious, so outage restoration numbers may slow today. But know the work continues without delay and with safety as a priority.
We are thankful for your patience and understanding as we work to restore power today.
Sunday, July 11, 2021 8 a.m.
Darkness didn’t stop OPPD crews from working around the clock to bring back power to customers.
As the day begins, more than 120,000 customers have had their power restored after a peak of 188,000 outages yesterday. Approximately 65,000 customers remain without power.
The work is not over. And the work that remains may be more labor-intensive for crews who are dealing with large trees, tree limbs and debris. The Saturday morning storm brought hurricane-force winds, in some cases uprooting large trees in their entirety.
With downed trees comes the potential for downed power lines. As customers continue cleaning up from the storm, please be mindful of possible downed power lines. NEVER APPROACH OR TOUCH A DOWNED POWER LINE. ALWAYS ASSUME IT IS ENERGIZED.
Additional line crews from OPPD’s mutual aid partners continue to arrive Sunday morning to assist in the outage restoration. The outpouring of support from partner utilities has been overwhelming, and has come from both near and far.
Read more about Saturday’s restoration efforts here.
