AES Ohio encourages customers to prepare for spring storm season

March 17, 2026

AES Ohio, a subsidiary of The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), reminds customers to plan ahead during Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 15-21. Severe weather can happen at any time, especially in the Spring, bringing thunderstorms, high winds, lightning, floods, hail, and tornadoes, which can lead to power outages.

Severe Weather Awareness Week, observed annually in March, is organized by the National Weather Service, the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to promote preparedness and education. At 9:50 AM on Wednesday, March 18, Ohio will conduct a statewide tornado drill. Counties may test sirens and notification systems, while businesses, schools, and homeowners are encouraged to practice their emergency plans.

The Climate Prediction Center (CPC), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), anticipates a wet spring, with above average precipitation in Ohio. This leads to a higher probability of storms, flooding, and ground saturation in our service territory during March, April, and May. 

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Source: Climate Prediction Center (CPC), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

AES Ohio conducts routine maintenance to strengthen its power delivery system, including inspecting and replacing poles and trimming vegetation and trees. Crews are equipped to handle the damage caused by storms. We hold regular planning sessions and drills to improve our storm response, ensuring power is restored to our customers safely and efficiently.

When severe weather is in the forecast, AES Ohio adjusts staffing making sure we are fully prepared to respond if customers experience an outage. When the lights go out, our teams work around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

AES Ohio encourages customers to prepare, plan, respond and stay safe with these tips:

• Be prepared: Each home needs an emergency storm kit with non-perishable food items, water, cash, medications, first aid items, phone chargers, battery-operated radio and blankets. Make sure you gather enough essentials for at least 72 hours. Be sure each member of the household knows the location of the storm kit. 
• Make an Emergency Plan: Create a plan for relocating yourself and your family. Disconnect electronics before a storm arrives. Develop a back-up plan, particularly if special medical care relies on electricity. Ensure everyone in your household knows where to meet, how to contact each other, and what actions to take in various situations.
• Stay informed and respond: Bookmark the AES Ohio’s Outage Information Center on your mobile device for easy access to report outages and check your status. When power outages occur, AES Ohio provides customers with real-time information through the online outage map to help customers make critical decisions. Follow AES Ohio on X or Facebook for real-time updates.
• Be safe around power lines: Put safety first and never touch or go near a downed power line and keep everyone away. Always assume it is energized and stay away. Report a downed power line online at aes-ohio.com/outages or call 877-4OUTAGE (877-468-8243). AES Ohio crews will work quickly and safely to restore your power.

Find more tips to prepare and stay safe during severe weather events, visit aes-ohio.com/outage-safety.

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About AES Ohio

AES Ohio is a subsidiary of The AES Corporation and provides regulated electric utility service to more than 539,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 6,000-square-mile service area in West Central Ohio. Our people operate and maintain more than 1,600 miles of transmission lines, 13,000 miles of overhead distribution lines, 4,500 miles of underground distribution lines and 160 substations feeding 490 distribution circuits. Learn more about how AES Ohio is accelerating the future of energy, visit aes-ohio.com. Connect with AES Ohio on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.