#United States #FirstEnergy Corp #Akron #Power Restoration #windstorm

FirstEnergy Ramps Up Power Restoration Efforts

FirstEnergy Corp., one of the major utility companies in the United States, is currently engaged in extensive power restoration efforts following a severe windstorm that affected large parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The windstorm, which struck on March 15, 2026, resulted in widespread outages impacting approximately 668,000 customers.

As of now, FirstEnergy's teams have successfully restored power to over 92% of affected customers, leaving about 56,000 individuals without service, predominantly in the hardest-hit regions of central and northeast Ohio, as well as western Pennsylvania. The company has mobilized an impressive workforce of over 6,900 employees, contractors, and outside resources to address the situation, with additional crews being deployed to the most severely impacted areas.

Restoration Timeline

FirstEnergy has provided estimated restoration times (ETRs) for areas still without electricity, indicating when almost all customers can expect to have their power restored. The company is focusing on priority outages caused by the most recent storm conditions, aiming to restore service rapidly. In many locations, individual restoration efforts will conclude before the estimated times, contingent on the extent of local damage.

Specific Updates from the Regions

1. The Illuminating Company: About 137,100 customers have had power restored, while 17,900 remain affected. The estimated restoration time for customers in Ashtabula County and Westlake is tonight by 11 p.m., with the remaining customers expecting power back by March 16.

2. Ohio Edison: Power has returned for 165,477 customers, leaving around 14,950 still in the dark. Similar restoration times apply, with most customers in the Alliance, Elyria, and other areas expected to have their power back by 11 p.m. tonight.

3. Toledo Edison: With 29,950 customers restored, approximately 1,800 are still without service, who should expect restoration by tonight.

4. Penelec: Nearly 84,900 customers in northern Pennsylvania have their power back, while 2,000 remain without service, with ETRs also set for tonight.

5. Penn Power and West Penn Power: Both have restored service to the majority of their customers, with specific ETRs set for different counties as late as March 17.

6. Mon Power in West Virginia: Approximately 29,300 have had power returned, with the remaining 1,700 projected to be restored by tonight.

Community Support and Resources

Given the severe weather conditions, FirstEnergy encourages any customer still without power to reach out for assistance. They provide several options for reporting outages including calling 1-888-LIGHTSS, sending a text message with the word "OUT" to 544487, or visiting their website at firstenergycorp.com/outages.

As the situation develops, FirstEnergy has committed to keeping the public informed through updates. In anticipation of further weather challenges, they continue to bolster their resources to ensure all areas receive prompt attention.

FirstEnergy's dedicated workforce is a testament to the company's commitment to customer service during emergencies. As they navigate these restoration efforts, they prioritize the safety and well-being of the communities they serve, and remain focused on bringing power back to every affected customer as swiftly as possible.