COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Just more than 2,200 AEP customers remain without power after strong storms with high winds moved through Ohio Monday afternoon, with the company reporting more than 17,000 outages at one point.

According to the AEP outage tracker, 2,262 customers in the company’s service area across the state, with 131 of those in Franklin County, still without power.

Downed power lines at Homestead Drive and East Maynard Avenue in Columbus on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (NBC4 PHOTO/GREG O’LEARY)

As of 10:45 p.m., AEP is reporting 1,533 outages in Fairfield County, the most in AEP’s service area. Additionally, 124 outages are reported in Hocking County and 122 customers are without power in Licking County.

The company estimates it will have power restored to the majority of customers by 11:30 p.m., although it is still assessing several of the Fairfield County outages.

At its peak, AEP was reporting more than 17,000 outages at approximately 6 p.m., shortly after the storms moved to the eastern part of Ohio.

AEP released a statement shortly before 6 p.m. which reads, in full:

Storms have moved across our territory, causing scattered outages. Crews will be restoring power as weather allows them to safely do so. Additional storms are expected in the next few hours which may cause additional outages and delays in restoration times.

Remember to stay away from all downed lines and anything they may be touching. Stay up-to-date on outage information by downloading the AEP Ohio app, signing up for alerts at AEPOhio.com/alerts or checking out our outage map at AEPOhio.com/outagemap.

Stay safe and thank you for your patience as crews work to get the power back on.

AEP statement on Feb. 27 power outages

South Central Power, which services portions of southern Ohio, is reporting 463 total customers without power, including 117 in Hocking County. All other central Ohio counties serviced by the company are reporting 40 or fewer outages.

OhioEdison is reporting 461 customers without power in the region west of Columbus.

Monday’s storms brought strong winds and heavy rain, prompting several tornado watches and warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings across central Ohio.

To learn how to track power outages in your area, click here.