HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A significant power outage has affected thousands of customers across parts of West Virginia, particularly in Cabell and Mercer counties, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The outages began in the morning and were primarily caused by accidents that resulted in downed power lines, leaving many residents in the dark.
According to reports from AEP, the situation escalated quickly as approximately 2,137 customers lost power in Cabell County alone after a wreck caused a major outage. The outage area extended along Route 60 and I-64, impacting residents from the Cabell County Career and Technology Center to Pea Ridge, including neighborhoods in Altizer and West Pea Ridge. The traffic lights along Route 60 and surrounding areas were also affected, creating potential hazards for drivers.
By midday, AEP had restored power to a significant portion of Cabell County, with fewer than five customers still listed on the online outage map. The company estimated that power would be fully restored by 1 p.m. on the same day, allowing residents to resume their normal activities.
Meanwhile, a separate but related incident in Mercer County caused even larger disruptions. A widespread power outage began around 2 p.m., affecting more than 32,000 Appalachian Power customers. At its peak, about 25,000 customers in Mercer County were without electricity, along with substantial outages reported in Tazwell and McDowell counties, each with over 1,000 customers impacted.
The cause of this larger outage was reported as a downed transmission line, although AEP has yet to confirm this information. As of the latest updates, nearly 17,000 customers had their power restored since the onset of the outage, but many were still waiting for their electricity to come back.
WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital confirmed that power was restored at its main campus and most of its clinics, ensuring that medical services could continue without interruption during the outage.
In a related development, FEMA announced that the Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center had to close at 3 p.m. on April 2 due to inclement weather but plans to reopen on Thursday, April 3, at 9 a.m., weather permitting. The closure of the center highlights the ongoing challenges faced by residents in the area as they deal with the aftermath of the outage.
Additionally, the Mercer Mall was closed for the remainder of the day, further reflecting the widespread impact of the outages on local businesses and community services. As power restoration efforts continue, local officials are urging residents to stay updated through the AEP website and local news outlets.
The situation remains fluid, and AEP is working diligently to restore power to the remaining customers affected by these outages. Residents are encouraged to report any ongoing issues or outages to AEP directly as the company continues to assess and address the situation.
As of now, the power has been restored to much of Cabell County, and efforts are ongoing to ensure that all customers in Mercer County and surrounding areas receive their electricity back as quickly as possible. The community's resilience is being tested, but local officials and utility workers are committed to restoring normalcy.
This incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities in power infrastructure and the importance of preparedness for unexpected outages. With weather conditions playing a role in these outages, residents are advised to stay informed and prepared for potential future incidents.
