Associated Press Published

Storms Knockout Power Throughout State

Winter Scene Snowshoe, W.Va.

A late-winter storm has knocked out electricity to about 80,000 customers in West Virginia.

FirstEnergy reported about 41,000 customers without power at midday Thursday. Appalachian Power has about 39,000 outages. Both utilities say many roads remain impassible and are hampering power-restoration efforts. They are bringing in crews from out-of-state affiliates.

Warming stations and shelters have been opened for residents without power in Logan, Marion, Monongalia and Raleigh counties. In Cabell County, where about 11,000 customers are without power, officials have asked Appalachian Power to pinpoint power outage locations in order to determine where to open emergency shelters if needed.

Other hard-hit areas include more than 6,000 outages each in Putnam and Wood counties, 5,000 in Kanawha County and 4,000 in Harrison, Marion and Wayne counties.