In the wake of the storms that swept through Ohio in the overnight hours of April 2, Chillicothe lineworkers faced a challenging restoration effort that showcased their problem-solving skills, teamwork and commitment to restoring power to customers safely and as quickly as possible.
The high winds from the storm caused tree limbs and branches to snap, with one falling on a power line near Narrows Road, about 15 miles east of Chillicothe, causing a power outage. When crews assessed the damage, they knew they needed a creative solution to restore power. The fallen tree branch was across the fast-flowing Salt Creek, and the wire was downstream in the water.
Chad Hensley, distribution system supervisor for AEP Ohio’s Chillicothe district, and his team needed to access the other side of the creek and make the necessary repairs.
“Accessing power lines and equipment can be difficult in the rugged terrain we see in southern Ohio,” Hensley said. “Our crews realize this and came together to explore all options to restore power safely and quickly.”
A Two-Pronged Approach
Restoration efforts began on one side of the creek, where crews quickly devised a plan to utilize an intact neutral wire — a protective grounding wire that runs along the bottom of power lines — and pull a rope to feed the de-energized wire back to the other side of the creek.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side, crews faced an entirely different set of challenges. There was no road or path to quickly access the downed line. The rugged and hilly terrain required crews to make a two-mile trek using off-roading equipment to an existing transmission line at the top of a hill. Once there, they hiked down the hill along the transmission line corridor — the cleared area below high-voltage power lines — to meet the rest of the team.
Teamwork in Action
Once both crews were at their locations, they worked collaboratively to remove the fallen tree branch, feed the wire back to shore and make the needed repairs. Their efforts paid off, as they successfully restored power for customers.
“I couldn’t be prouder of how the team approached the situation and found a creative way to navigate obstacles to get the power back on,” Hensley said.
This restoration effort highlights the importance of critical thinking, proper planning and effective communication in the face of unexpected challenges. Our lineworkers not only overcame difficult conditions but did so with safety as a top priority, which is essential in this line of work.
As we face unpredictable weather throughout the year, our crews are ready to navigate any challenge to get the power back on for customers
