3,600 still without power after last week's storms

1/13/2005

LIMA, Ohio - Seven days after last week's ice storm, more than 3,600 customers remained without power yesterday in west-central Ohio, local power companies reported yesterday.

American Electric Power, the main power provider in the area, said about 2,850 customers in the Lima area, plus nearly 650 in Kenton and 50 in Willard, still had no power. Midwest Power, which covers seven western Ohio counties, reported fewer than 110 customers remained without power.

The storm, which left more than an inch of ice on roads, utility lines, and trees in the Allen and Hardin county area, swept through Ohio Jan. 5. A second storm Saturday deposited about four inches of snow on Allen County, delaying cleanup.

Yesterday, the Hancock County commissioners said they would apply for emergency status to try to get financial aid for communities hurt by the ice storm. The commissioners said they were especially concerned about the village of Arlington, where the wastewater treatment plant was working at half capacity because of storm damage.