KENTON, Ohio (WLIO) - A thunderstorm that rolled through the area Monday morning created a lot damage in and around Kenton.
The storm knocked out power citywide. Electric crews were working on restoring power and replacing power poles that were down around East Columbus Street. Around 35 hundred customers in Hardin County were without power because of the storm, including the Hardin County courthouse, county annex and the Kenton Hardin Health Department, which ended up closing for the day.
Electric crews were working on restoring power and replacing power poles that were down around East Columbus Street.
AEP said around noon Monday that they will continue to work quickly and safely to resort the power to the affected areas, but some businesses decided to stay open without power.
"We stay open, we don't close for anything," said Branden Sharpe, general manager of the Kenton Ace Hardware. "There's been Level 3 snows and we are still open. The public still needs electrical, and plumbing, and emergency type things, and we stay open for all of that. We have a backup generator for our cash register and tills, so we're able to do that. We just have to help direct you through the store, one customer at a time."
But the severe weather is expected to last a couple of days: the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for our area through Wednesday.
AEP is estimating that power will be restored by 8:30 Monday night.
