Severe thunderstorms put water over roadways and knocked out power around Lawrence County overnight and earlier Thursday.

Friday, May 18, 2001

Severe thunderstorms put water over roadways and knocked out power around Lawrence County overnight and earlier Thursday.

At 5:30 p.m., American Electric Power reported about 4,900 customers in southern and central Ohio and eastern Kentucky lost electricity due to storms disrupting circuits and knocking trees over power lines.

"The majority of those customers have power now," AEP spokesperson Ronn Robinson said at 9:30 a.m. this morning.

About 22 customers were still out in Portsmouth, and about 104 remained without electricity in the Ironton, Lawrence and Scioto County areas.

"We’re concerned about today’s weather, but are making progress," he said.

AEP power outages should be reported by calling 1-800-277-2177.

Mike Bullock, the general manager for Buckeye Rural Electric in Rio Grande said 400 customers, including 47 from Lawrence County, were without power as of 10 a.m. today.

Bullock said water blocking Symmes Creek Road and other roadways, as well as two bridges that washed out, were keeping crews from reaching areas without electricity.

Lawrence County Emergency Services reported high water overnight from Johns Creek to Arabia as well as at the 20-mile and 25-mile markers on Ohio 93. Ohio 93 was passable early this morning.

Decatur Township firefighters, and nearby township departments, responded to several residences cut off by high water near Olive Hill. The American Red Cross also reported it is working with the Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to assess possible damage in the wake of storms.

Specific information was unavailable before presstime.

The EMA can be reached at 533-4375; the Red Cross can be reached in Huntington, W.Va., at 304-526-2900.

The Ohio Highway Patrol reported most state routes in Lawrence County were passable, but high water was likely at Waterloo on Ohio 141.

Because storms were likely to continue today, the OHP cautions motorists to watch for flash flooding and water over roadways. Never attempt to drive through high water, the OHP said.