MOUNT VERNON — During a nearly 90-degree day, Knox County residents are largely without power.
As of 4 p.m. more than 13,000 AEP customers were without power due to a transmission-related power outage affecting substations that feed homes and businesses in the area, according to an AEP Ohio Facebook post.
AEP later updated its post stating, earlier Wednesday trees contacted two of the high-voltage transmission lines that feed electricity to some of our distribution substations in the Mount Vernon and Newark areas. Our crews have begun restoring power — we expect all customers to be restored around 9 p.m. tonight if no unforeseen issues occur.
Reports of power outages began around 1 p.m.
In the same timeframe, more than 5,000 Energy Cooperative customers are without power.
“We have been notified that an alternate transmission source will be energized by 6 p.m. which should bring all substations back up except for Apple Valley,” an Energy Cooperative Facebook post states.
“Once our remaining stations are reenergized, our plan is to back feed the Apple Valley substation as quickly and safely as we can.”
No power means no air conditioning during July’s extremely hot and humid weather; in fact, Tuesday set the record for the hottest day ever recorded on Earth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness.
It is important to know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses:
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness, and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.
Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen and Heavy sweating.
First Aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water.
Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms: Heavy sweating, Weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting,
First Aid: Move person to a cooler environment, preferably a well air conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. If person vomits more than once,
Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour
Heat Stroke
Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness.
First Aid: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures. Do NOT give fluids.
For more information on heat health information, safety and resources, visit www.heat.gov.
This story is developing and we’ll update as more information is released.
