YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — High wind gusts overnight mixed with oversaturated ground from all the rain we have had in the Valley have caused thousands in our area to be without power Saturday. The majority of outages have been restored by Sunday afternoon, but there are still some waiting for the lights to come back on.
In addition to power outages, numerous roads are, or have been, blocked off due to downed branches, trees and wires. Authorities say drivers should not go around any road barricades for their own safety.
You can report outages to FirstEnergy online or by calling 888-LIGHTSS (888-544-4877).
Mahoning County
According to FirstEnergy, more than 1,500 customers were without power Saturday morning. Around 100 were without power by evening. FirstEnergy reports the majority of consumers in Mahoning County will have power returned by 11 p.m. Sunday, with several anticipated to resume service by 11 p.m. Saturday.
The majority of the outages were in Austintown, Canfield and Ellsworth Township.
First News had a reporter live from state Route 46 in Austintown Saturday, morning which was closed in both directions due to utility line debris on the road.
Trumbull County
As Saturday rolls into Sunday, nearly 430 customers in Trumbull County are still in the dark. Restoration is expected by 11 p.m. Sunday, according to FirstEnergy.
More than 5,600 customers were without power as of Saturday morning. Almost 1,400 were still without power as of Saturday evening, with some restorations expected that night.
The city of Niles uses its own electric department. They reported multiple outages with no time of restoration provided. An alert from the Niles Police Department requests that residents do not call the department for the estimated time of restoration, stating, “Niles Light is out working on the problems as fast as possible”
According to the Warren Township Fire Department, there were also numerous road closures in place as of Saturday morning:
- Brookside Drive between Ellsworth Ave & Ferncliff Avenue
- Peerless Avenue off S. Leavitt
- Riverview Drive north of Bachert Road
- Tod Ave (State Route 45) Southbound between Old Tod (Salem Warren Rd) & Bonnie Drive is reduced to one lane
Columbiana County
According to FirstEnergy, about 100 customers were without power as of Saturday morning. All customers had power back by evening.
AEP, which also serves the county, is reporting minimal outages for its customers.
Mercer County
Nearly 200 customers in Mercer County are still waiting for their power to be turned on as of early Sunday afternoon, with estimated restoration times ranging from 3-11 p.m. Sunday.
According to FirstEnergy, more than 800 customers were without power as of Saturday morning. About 500 didn’t have power by evening.
South Pymatuning Township and Sandy Creek Township experienced the majority of the outages.
Road closures in the county included a portion of Route 62, which was closed from the intersection with Valley Road in Jefferson Township to the intersection with Route 19 in Mercer Borough. A portion of Route 18 was closed from the intersection with Fairview Road in Fairfield Township to the intersection with Route 62 in Mercer Borough. Methodist Road (Route 4019) was closed from the intersection with Kennard Road to the intersection with Salem Road in Sugar Grove Township.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says the closures are due to downed trees and utility lines from high winds. Drivers can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com.
Kyle Wills contributed to this report.
