About 63 percent of Athens county — 17,386 American Electric Power customers — remained without power Monday night, but the power was on at the Athens City Building, and the outages across the region dominated the night’s City Council meeting.
“It’s tough,” Assistant Service-Safety Director Ron Lucas said. “From an AEP standpoint, it’s a catastrophic event, and from a citizen standpoint, it’s a catastrophic event. People are hot, and there’s some safety issues there.”
The AEP said Monday that Athens should see full power restored by midnight July 6, but until then, Athens residents can keep cool at the Athens Community Center and pool during normal business hours.
Ohio University’s Baker University Center will also be open to the public as a cooling center from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Following severe weather Friday night that caused Gov. John Kasich to declare a state of emergency for the state of Ohio, city officials are also planning for free tree debris removal for residents.
Starting July 9, residents will be able to leave debris from fallen trees by their curbs for pick-up by the city. Debris should be bundled and be 4 feet in length and 6 inches thick.
While some city entities such as the Athens Waste Water Treatment Plant and Athens Police stations have backup generators, the city’s water treatment plant does not.
Councilman Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward, was critical of the city’s lack of preparation for a long-term power outage, though Lucas said the city doesn’t have the funds.
“(Backup generators) are a significant expense,” Lucas said. “We have been trying to figure out a way to fund those generators.”
But Risner said the city should find a way to fund such preparations.
“I know it comes down to money, but if it’s critical — and to me, this is a desperate need — money can be found,” Risner said.
jj360410@ohiou.edu
