Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Ohio Faces Massive Power Outage Amid 85 MPH Winds

3/15/2026

25 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Severe winds in Ohio have left more than 300,000 customers without power as of March 14, 2026, with gusts up to 85 mph, the worst outage since 2012 derecho.
AEP Ohio, the Ohio utility subsidiary of American Electric Power, has over 2,700 crews working around the clock to restore power.
Franklin County is among the hardest hit, with nearly 50,000 customers still without power, and officials warn ongoing high winds may delay restoration.

History

Historical Context

The June 29-30, 2012 derecho devastated the Midwest, causing over $2.9 billion in damages and leaving 4.2 million customers without power. This storm, which resulted in 22 fatalities, highlighted vulnerabilities in infrastructure, particularly in states like Ohio and West Virginia. Recent severe winds in Ohio, reaching 85 mph, underscore the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather events and the need for improved preparedness strategies.

1 of 2

Story summary

Severe winds in Ohio have left more than 300,000 customers without power as of March 14, 2026, with gusts up to 85 mph, the worst outage since 2012 derecho.
AEP Ohio, the Ohio utility subsidiary of American Electric Power, has over 2,700 crews working around the clock to restore power.
Franklin County is among the hardest hit, with nearly 50,000 customers still without power, and officials warn ongoing high winds may delay restoration.

1 / 2