Lexington, Ky. – Residents of Lexington are experiencing ongoing power outages following the impact of Hurricane Helene. Over 110,000 customers of Kentucky Utilities were left without power during the storm’s peak, with many still struggling to regain electricity more than 24 hours later.
The outages began on Friday, and many homes remain in the dark into Saturday. Lexington resident Darlene reported that her power went out around 10:30 PM Friday and hasn’t been restored since. “It’s been pretty dark,” she stated, noting that she was grateful to see utility crew workers making repairs in her backyard.
Another resident, Matthew Nicholson, described the tumultuous night leading to the outages. “I woke up to a few loud pops and bangs… then just wind hitting the house repeatedly,” he said. He and his family are among thousands relying on candles and lanterns as they await the restoration of power.
The storm’s aftermath caused substantial damage; a large tree fell in the Nicholson household backyard, taking down a power line and compounding their power issues since noon on Friday.
In response, Kentucky Utilities has mobilized over 500 line technicians to restore power, receiving assistance from an additional 400 workers from out of state on Saturday. Daniel Lowry, a spokesperson for the utility company, emphasized the importance of safety, stating that crews are working diligently while ensuring their own safety amid hazardous conditions.
As recovery efforts continue, KU plans for all affected customers to have their power restored by Tuesday, October 1, at 11 PM. However, they are optimistic about the potential for earlier restoration.
Customers are reminded to stay clear of any fallen power lines as restoration efforts proceed. The community remains resilient as they cope with the impacts of the storm and the challenges of living without electricity.
