Ohio Valley Residents Struggle After Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power

FOLLANSBEE, W.Va. — Severe storms swept through the Upper Ohio Valley on Tuesday, leaving thousands of residents without power and causing significant damage. Mayor David Velegol of Follansbee warned on Wednesday that power restoration could take until Sunday.

“Many primary and secondary electrical lines are down, some in remote locations,” Velegol said. In response, the city has rented five generators to ensure the operation of water and sewer systems while urging residents to conserve water.

As of Wednesday evening, Mon Power reported that 7,053 out of 11,624 customers in Brooke County remained without power, particularly affecting Beech Bottom, Bethany, and Colliers. Along with Follansbee, residents in Wellsburg also faced outages.

“Our pumps are down, and tank levels are dropping,” Velegol said. “If our pumps stay down, we’re in trouble.”

The storm also sparked tornado warnings, leading to reports of trees snapping and damaging properties. Alyssa Stegner from Unionport noted numerous trees downed onto her livestock fencing.

Cleanup efforts commenced immediately, with crews working in Wellsburg to clear debris along Main Street. In Jefferson County, 8,948 customers were without power, with Wellsville among the hardest-hit areas.

Steubenville officials reported multiple downed power lines and trees, leading to significant operational challenges for emergency services. “We had over 30 calls,” Fire Chief Carlo Capaldi said, noting the crew responded to numerous storm-related incidents.

Residents affected by structural damage from fallen trees have been encouraged to contact the auditor’s office for assistance. “We’ll send someone out to appraise the damage,” said Auditor E.J. Conn.

The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency is actively coordinating with local organizations to assist residents. John Parker, director of the agency, emphasized the importance of reporting any downed power lines and staying safe.

“We still have sporadic power outages across the county,” Parker added. “AEP is actively working to restore power, and timelines are improving.”