For many AEP Ohio employees, last week’s storms rank among the most destructive they have ever seen, similar to the derecho that blew through Ohio in June 2012. While these storms did not meet the criteria for a derecho, they brought lines of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and a confirmed tornado.
Multiple rounds of severe weather brought hurricane-force winds, flooding and even a tornado to parts of Ohio, causing 240,000 customers to lose power. Crews worked around the clock to restore service, often rebuilding the system only to see another wave of storms knock power out again.
For many customers, the outage lasted several days. We know that meant disrupted routines, uncomfortable temperatures and uncertainty about when power would return. Severe weather impacts more than power lines. It can close businesses, cancel plans and create challenges for families trying to navigate their day-to-day lives. While crews focused on restoring service, they never lost sight of the families, businesses and communities waiting for the lights to come back on. We understand how difficult that can be, and we appreciate the patience customers showed throughout the restoration process.
“In my 27-year career with AEP Ohio, this ranks among the top four worst storms I’ve seen when it comes to widespread damage,” said Jason Stacy, district system supervisor for Southeast Columbus.
Some of the hardest-hit communities were in Southeast and Central Ohio, where powerful winds toppled strong, massive trees.
“Our crews saw healthy 50- to 60-foot trees ripped out of the ground and fall like toothpicks,” Stacy said.
Why Trees Caused So Much Damage
“When trees are full of leaves, they act like sails in strong winds,” said Dale Hopkins, AEP Ohio forestry manager. “Combine that with hurricane-force wind gusts, entire trees can be pushed into power lines and equipment, causing widespread damage.”
In the Columbus area, wind gusts topped 82 mph, and the National Weather Service measured straight-line winds of 90 to 100 mph in Upper Arlington. One car on Interstate 71 at Weber Road literally flipped over when a strong gust of wind hit it from the side. Traffic camera footage from the Ohio Department of Transportation captured the vehicle going airborne.
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado touched down in South Columbus on Aug. 11.
The Challenge: Storm After Storm
What made this event especially difficult was the combination of multiple storms, wind and heavy rain.
Crews would restore service to thousands of customers, only to have another round of severe weather create new outages.
In many cases, crews also uncovered more problems when completing damage assessment and additional damage after arriving on site, requiring more repairs before power could be safely restored.
“We had more than 4,000 employees, contractors and mutual assistance workers supporting restoration efforts,” said Matt Bennett, AEP Ohio’s managing director of operations. “Crews came from 12 states, some from as far away as Oklahoma and Louisiana, to help restore power as quickly and safely as possible.”
One of the biggest challenges was flooding. In Crooksville, floodwaters submerged an AEP Ohio substation not once but twice during the week, creating additional restoration work and safety concerns.
By the Numbers
- More than 250,000 customers restored
- More than 4,000 workers involved in restoration efforts
- Almost 170 power poles replaced
- More than 900 spans of wire repaired or rebuilt
- More than 40 transformers repaired
- Crews from 12 states assisted with restoration
“We show up for each other, and we’ll keep showing up for our neighbors in need,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther in a Facebook post.
Recovering Lost Groceries
Customers who experienced food loss due to a power outage should contact their homeowners or renters insurance provider to determine whether the loss may be covered under their policy. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can also contact AEP Ohio’s Customer Care Team at 800-672-2231 to request an outage verification letter that may help them apply for replacement benefits.
Recovery doesn’t end when the power comes back on or floodwaters recede. To help communities recover from last week’s storms, the AEP Ohio Foundation partnered with local organizations providing immediate assistance to impacted residents.
“There’s something incredibly fulfilling about showing up for your community,” said Brandy Marshall, AEP Ohio business services account manager.
Marshall was among more than a dozen AEP Ohio volunteers who helped distribute food to Perry County residents impacted by the storms.
“Volunteering reminds me that even the smallest act of service can make a difference, and I’m grateful to be part of something bigger than myself,” she said.
Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) and the Southeast Ohio Foodbank worked together to distribute food and household essentials to families impacted by the storms. The organizations estimated the distribution would help about 300 families.
The food distribution was supported by $25,000 in disaster relief funding from the AEP Ohio Foundation. The foundation also provided an additional $25,000 to the American Red Cross-East Central Ohio Chapter to support sheltering, emergency assistance and recovery services, bringing its total disaster relief contribution to $50,000.
Be Ready for the Next Storm
While no electric system can prevent every outage during severe weather, AEP Ohio continues to invest in tree trimming, equipment upgrades and grid improvements designed to strengthen the electric system and improve reliability for customers.
As the skies have cleared, now is a good time to prepare for the next severe weather event. Check emergency kits, replace batteries and make sure you can receive outage alerts through AEPOhio.com/Alerts.
“No one wants to be without power, especially for multiple days,” Bennett said. “We understand how difficult that can be for families and businesses. Our crews take great pride in restoring service, and helping our customers get back to normal is why they work long hours and make the sacrifices they do during storms like this.”
It’s important to note that if storm damage occurred to electrical equipment attached to a home or business, customers may need to work with a licensed electrician to make repairs before power can be restored. In those cases, crews will leave a door hanger explaining the issue and outlining the next steps. Customers can learn more about the restoration process and the responsibilities of both property owners and AEP Ohio here.
We know many customers spent days without power during the summer heat, and we are grateful for the patience and resilience they showed throughout the restoration effort. Through it all, we saw neighbors helping neighbors and communities coming together — the resilience that defines Ohio.
Stay Away, Stay Safe
Storm damage can leave hidden dangers behind. If you come across a downed wire, keep these tips in mind:
- Treat every downed wire as live and dangerous. You can’t see, smell or hear electricity, so presume any fallen line is energized.
- Keep your distance. Stay back, keep others away, and don’t touch anything the line is touching.
- Report it right away. If you see a downed wire, downed pole or a tree on a line, call 911 and AEP Ohio at 800-672-2231.
- If a line falls on your car, stay inside. Warn others to stay back and call for help.
Last updated: August 19, 2026
