Fern, the first winter storm of 2026, brought a lot of snowfall and bitter cold across Ohio with some areas receiving up to 14 inches of snow. While AEP Ohio customers largely maintained service throughout the storm, the impact was far more severe in neighboring states, including West Virginia.
AEP Ohio’s sister company, Appalachian Power (APCo), serves parts of Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The company saw about 44,500 customers without power at the peak of the storm on Sunday, Jan. 25. Heavy snow, sleet, ice accumulation and extreme cold temperatures caused widespread damage, including downed power lines, broken poles and extensive tree damage that slowed restoration efforts in the hardest-hit areas.
In response, AEP Ohio deployed 190 lineworkers, drone pilots, assessment teams and other support personnel to help restore power across West Virigina. Crews began arriving on Sunday afternoon and worked around the clock for five days in hazardous conditions. They rotated out to ensure safety.
“Power is a critical need for everyday life, so when disaster strikes, we are ready to jump into action and work together to restore service as quickly as possible,” said Don Chesler, director of distribution operations at AEP Ohio. “Through the mutual assistance program, we’re able to send skilled workers where they’re needed most, helping restore power more quickly for customers.”
Restoration was further complicated by ice accumulation and trees falling onto power equipment.
“What might seem like a small accumulation of ice — any more than a quarter-inch — can bring down power lines and damage the electric grid,” said Jason Baker, vice president of distribution region operations with APCo. “When you combine low temperatures with heavy snow and ice, it’s a recipe for more damage, with utility poles down, and trees and limbs falling on the lines. It was a tough situation, and we did everything we could to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.”
In all, AEP Ohio helped replace or repair 121 spans of downed wire, 11 broken cross arms, 10 broken poles and one transformer. Crews returned home safely once restoration efforts were completed at the end of the week.
“We know how important power is, especially during extreme cold,” Chesler said. “Our teams are committed to helping get the lights back on and when the next storm hits, they’ll be ready to respond at a moment’s notice. It’s in their DNA — answering the call for help — because it’s the right thing to do. And we know that if we ever need help, our brothers and sisters in West Virginia are just a phone call away.”
Staying Safe During a Power Outage
AEP Ohio reminds customers to keep safety top of mind during outages:
- Stay away from any downed power lines and anything they may be touching. Immediately call 911 and AEP Ohio at 800-672-2231 or your local utility provider.
- Have an emergency preparedness kit with essentials like food, water, flashlights and extra batteries.
- Stay updated on restoration progress by following AEP Ohio’s social media channels.
Learn More
- Read messages from AEP Ohio’s customers on Facebook following the deployment to help APCo.
- Spectrum News reported AEP Ohio’s mutual assistance efforts.
- Learn more about restoration efforts across the Tri-State region on 13News.
- Watch an APCo lineworker describe the treacherous conditions on FOX News.
