Power Outage Disrupts Mansfield, Ohio: 3,300 Customers Affected
Mansfield, Ohio - A power outage has left approximately 3,300 Ohio Edison customers in the dark since Monday evening, according to spokeswoman Lauren Siburkis. The outage was caused by a vehicle collision with a utility pole, as reported by the Mansfield Police Department. This incident has led to a significant impact on the city's south side.
Siburkis emphasized the ongoing efforts to address the situation, stating, 'Our primary focus is to clear hazards and assess the damage, allowing our crews to access the affected areas and commence repairs safely.' She acknowledged the potential delays, mentioning downed wires, trees on power lines, and numerous broken poles and crossarms as part of the damage.
The Mansfield Police Department's Facebook post highlighted the immediate response, noting that Ohio Edison's crews were in 'storm mode' due to the high volume of calls. The National Weather Service's forecast predicted a harsh wind chill with strong winds and a 20% chance of snow and blowing snow, adding complexity to the restoration process.
Despite the challenges, Siburkis assured that restoration efforts are underway. She explained, 'We anticipate many customers will have their power back by evening, but detailed restoration times for heavily damaged areas will be available on Tuesday, when a clearer picture of the damage extent emerges.'
To assist in the restoration process, Ohio Edison has deployed additional contractors and outside personnel to support their crews. Siburkis emphasized the importance of public safety, urging residents to exercise caution when venturing outdoors. She advised, 'Stay clear of downed or low-hanging power lines, as they may be concealed in storm debris or fallen trees. Assume any downed or low-hanging wires are live and dangerous, and report them immediately to 911.'
Customers have multiple options to report outages, including calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), texting 'OUT' to LIGHTS (544487), or visiting the website firstenergycorp.com for more information.
Siburkis expressed gratitude for the community's patience and understanding, acknowledging the critical role of reliable power in daily life. She concluded, 'We are working tirelessly to ensure customer safety and power supply, and we appreciate their cooperation during this challenging time.'
