Approximately 33,000 KUB customers remain without electricity as of 4:30 a.m. Thursday morning following the severe storm that hit the KUB service territory early Tuesday evening. The remaining outages continue to be scattered throughout KUB's service area, with the largest concentrations in north and west Knox County.

If you are currently experiencing a power outage, please call KUB at 524-2911.

A total of 47 KUB and contractor crews are working to assess damages, clear trees and debris, and repair poles and lines. Crews will continue working around the clock to restore service to all remaining customers, but due to the extent of damage and the nature of work involved in those remaining repairs restoration will be more difficult to complete.

At the height of the storm, more than 127,000 KUB customers were without power.

Notice for Customers with Critical Medical Equipment
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Customers with critical medical equipment may need to initiate their emergency plan to relocate to a safe location or contact their health care provider to arrange for backup equipment.

Routine KUB Activities Temporarily Suspended / Emergency and Storm Calls Only
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Due to the magnitude of this storm event, resources from all KUB departments are focusing on assisting with restoration efforts. As a result, responses to routine business inquiries will be temporarily delayed. Additionally, due to the heavy volume of incoming calls, KUB is asking that customers only call the 524-2911 main number if they have an emergency or storm related issue. KUB will advise via follow-up media advisories when available resources have been released from storm restoration efforts and business activities return to normal. KUB's payment centers will remain open.

Restoration Time Frames
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Large numbers of trees and wires were reported down following the storm. Crews have had challenges accessing the lines due to the number of downed trees and other damage - even getting to the job has been difficult in some cases. Every job is different, but a typical repair job can take up to 4-6 hours. Replacing a pole can take a minimum of 6-8 hours. Given these challenges, a definite time frame for restoration of specific areas is not available, and KUB is advising customers to prepare for outages lasting multiple days.

Online Outage Map Restored
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KUBs's online outage map was back in service as of 6:45 p.m. this evening. Please refer to this map for the latest outage numbers. The information is refreshed every 15 minutes. Remember to refresh your computer to get the most current outage totals if you have had the outage map page open for an extended period.

KUB determines the order of restoration in the following sequence:
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Critical system loads that include communications systems, water/wastewater pump stations, hospitals, and other services vital to public welfare.
Transmission lines (the backbone of the electric system) serving large numbers of customers.
Substation equipment that can impact large numbers, as well.
Distribution lines serving subdivisions, large housing areas, and commercial areas.
Service lines and transformers that serve small numbers of customers.
Service lines and transformers serving individual customers.

Stay Away from Downed Power Lines / Contact with Trees and Limbs
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As restoration efforts continue, KUB advises customers to stay well away from any downed power lines as they may be energized. Also be mindful that trees leaning on power lines, utility poles, and related equipment can conduct electricity, and contact should be avoided. Trees and limbs on the ground may be in contact with energized power lines and may pose a threat as well. Additionally, customers are reminded to stay at least 25-feet from the work area for their safety and the safety of our crews.

Reporting An Outage / Storm Tips
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Please report all power outages immediately to KUB to ensure you are on the list for repairs. Click on the Report an Outage link on the KUB website homepage or call 524-2911 or 1-800-250-8068 to report outages. KUB would also like to remind customers that we do not check Facebook postings to gather information on the locations of power outages. Storm tips are also available at our website www.kub.org under the "Safety and Outages" tab.

Be sure KUB has your correct phone number. That will enable you to report outages quickly and easily on our automated outage line. It will also help KUB contact you to verify whether your power has been restored. You can update your number in your profile on www.kub.org or by calling 524-2911. You will need to register, if you haven't already.

KUB extends its sincere appreciation to its customers for their kind support of its restoration crews.

Additional updates for this outage event will follow as needed.