A powerful winter storm that began Sunday has left many Kentuckians without power, with restoring electricity in rural and hard-to-reach areas proving to be a challenging task.
Joe Arnold, vice president of strategic communications for the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Association, which represents 26 co-ops serving around 1.8 million people, explained the difficulties. “When you add ice and snow to areas that are already tough to access—such as crossing streams, navigating mountains, or going through wooded land—it makes restoration even more complicated,” he said.
Arnold also urged residents to exercise patience and caution, particularly when encountering downed power lines or lines touching trees or tree limbs. Additionally, he stressed the importance of generator safety.
“Generator safety is crucial,” Arnold said. “Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, read the manual, and ensure the generator is placed far enough from your home. Exhaust fumes can seep into your home, and people die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year.”
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that approximately 90 people die annually from carbon monoxide poisoning due to improper use of portable generators.
