AEP crews were still working Wednesday afternoon to restore power to several pockets of residences including this one on Grandview Avenue NW in New Philadelphia. (Photo by Stacey Carmany, Tusco TV)

New Philadelphia, Ohio (WJER) - AEP officials say wind gusts, broken utility poles and downed power lines have contributed to delays in restoring electricity to areas still powerless after the weekend’s wind storm. 

American Electric Power spokesperson Jessica Wright says about 1,200 customers in Tuscarawas County were still without power Tuesday afternoon. She says all customers are expected to have power restored by 11 pm Wednesday.
 
“Mostly the challenges are just broken poles. We to trim trees and getting downed wire fixed and those types of things,” she says. 

Wright says high winds also contributed to delays as crews are not permitted to use the bucket trucks in gusts over 30 miles per hour. In the meantime, Wright says residents should keep an eye on people who might be vulnerable to the cold.

“Definitely check up on elderly, those with medical conditions, those types of things. Make sure they’re staying safe,” she says.

Wright says crews try to restore power near hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities before moving on to residential neighborhoods.

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