Storm Leaves Thousands With No Power In Franklin County

COLUMBUS, OH — A thunderstorm that rolled through central Ohio has left more than 17,000 people without power. The rolling storm left a trail of downed trees and power lines in its wake.

AEP Energy's website showed more than 5,600 outages reported near Columbus and another 11,000-plus near Newark on Monday afternoon.

AEP tweeted its current estimated restoration time is 11:30 p.m for Columbus and 4 p.m. Tuesday for Newark 4:00pm and Zanesville.

"We will continue to work safely until service is restored to all customers," the utility said.

AEP previously said Columbus and Newark were "hardest hit" and that it was still assessing damage.

The Newark campus of Ohio State University and Central Ohio Technical College closed Monday due to what it called a "power failure."

"All classes are cancelled & offices closed until further notice," Ohio State Newark said in a tweet.

Monday's storm could be the beginning of a long couple days for the region. The National Weather Service on Monday afternoon issued a hazardous weather outlook for central Ohio that begins Tuesday.

"Showers and thunderstorms are expected on Tuesday, especially in the afternoon and evening," the agency said on its website. "There is the potential for a few severe storms, capable of large hail and damaging winds."

Current Estimated Restoration Times (ETRs) for Columbus 11:30pm Monday, Newark 4:00pm Tuesday and Zanesville 4:00pm Tuesday. We will continue to work safely until service is restored to all customers. pic.twitter.com/jUIyXHRsEK
— AEP Ohio (@AEPOhio) May 14, 2018

AEP crews working on downed power lines in Licking County after severe storms rolled through his afternoon, knocking down trees. pic.twitter.com/dfzGu9k9ry
— Rachael Penton (@RachaelWSYX6) May 14, 2018

Photo credit: Shutterstock