FirstEnergy Restoring Power After Windstorm

Utility company working around the clock to repair damage across multiple states

Mar. 14, 2026 at 11:51pm

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Less than 24 hours after winds exceeding 70 mph tore through Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland, FirstEnergy Corp. has restored power to nearly 478,000 of the approximately 655,400 customers who lost power following Friday's storm. The utility company's crews, supported by outside personnel, are working around the clock to safely restore service to all impacted customers.

Why it matters

Powerful windstorms can cause widespread power outages, disrupting daily life and impacting critical services. FirstEnergy's swift response and all-hands-on-deck approach to restoring power is crucial for communities affected by the storm.

The details

FirstEnergy's Ohio and western Pennsylvania service areas were hardest hit, with widespread tree and equipment damage. Crews are working to clear hazards, repair high-voltage lines, restore power to critical facilities, and address localized outages. More than 3,400 outside workers are assisting nearly 3,380 FirstEnergy employees in the restoration effort.

  • The storm hit on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • As of 1 p.m. on March 14, 2026, power had been restored to 69-87% of impacted customers across FirstEnergy's service areas.
  • Restoration work is expected to continue over the next few days.

The players

FirstEnergy Corp.

An electric utility company that serves six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.

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What’s next

FirstEnergy will continue to provide updates on restoration progress and estimated restoration times as the work continues over the next few days.

The takeaway

This storm highlights the importance of utility companies' preparedness and responsiveness in quickly restoring power to communities affected by severe weather events. FirstEnergy's all-hands-on-deck approach demonstrates its commitment to ensuring reliable service for its customers.