The power was back on Tuesday morning for all but a handful of Akron’s FirstEnergy customers after more than 49,000 FirstEnergy customers, including 7,200 Akron customers, lost electricity service Monday afternoon during a heat wave with temperatures reaching the mid-90s.

Power was estimated to be restored by 5 p.m. Monday, according to the FirstEnergy website. Impacted residents can text “STAT” to 544487 for an update on their home.

The outages mainly affected a few Akron neighborhoods — Highland Square, West Akron, Sherbondy Hill, Summit Lake and Kenmore. Significant power outages also extended southwest from the city into Barberton and New Franklin. Crews are investigating the causes of these outages, a FirstEnergy spokesperson said in an email. They said FirstEnergy has increased staffing to ensure a 24/7 response while temperatures remain high.

On the east side, at least 500 customers in Goodyear Heights were without power due to a transformer failure Sunday evening, according to a press release from the City of Akron. 

The release stated that FirstEnergy will dispatch a mobile substation to support the necessary repairs and replacement in Goodyear Heights. And to manage the electrical load, rolling blackouts may be implemented, rotating on 90-minute intervals for up to 12 hours, depending on system demand and repair progress.

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Customers in the affected area should receive a text message from FirstEnergy, according to the press release. The area includes:

  • Brittain Road between Evans Avenue and East Market Street
  • Eastwood Avenue between Arlington Avenue and South Avenue

FirstEnergy encourages older adults and those with medical conditions to make arrangements to stay safe and comfortable until power is restored, including staying with friends or family or visiting a cooling center.

Summit Lake Community Center, located at 380 W. Crosier St., will operate as a cooling center through Tuesday, June 24. The community center will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

The city is also extending hours at both Balch Street Fitness Center (220 S. Balch St.) and Patterson Park Community Center (800 Patterson Ave.) until 9 p.m. Monday. 

The other Akron community centers will be open during their normal business hours on Monday and Tuesday.  

What should you do if your power is out? 

First, check to see if the outage only affects you or if your neighbors’ power is out as well. 

Report the outage online, text “OUT” to 544487, or call 1-888-544-4877.

If you see a downed power line, call 911 immediately and avoid the area. 

Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed so food can stay insulated for as long as possible. Unplug all other appliances – including televisions and computers – to safeguard them and ease the initial load when your power returns.

During thunderstorm outages, do not take a shower or bath as the current from a lightning strike can travel through the water pipes.

How can you stay cool when your power is out? 

There are a few ways to stay cool when you have lost power:

  • Wear appropriate clothing. Try wearing loose-fitting clothes made from organic fabrics like cotton or linen in white or bright colors that can reflect the heat. If you are going outside, cover as much skin as possible. 
  • Stay hydrated. The American Red Cross recommends drinking a cup of water every 20 minutes, even if you’re not thirsty. 
  • Close the doors to the hottest rooms in your home and use a towel or blanket to keep hot air from seeping under the doors. And close the curtains to keep additional light and heat out of your home. 
  • Limit outdoor activity to the cooler times of day — early morning or after sunset — and stay in the shade. 
  • Take a cool shower or bath, or put a damp cloth on your head or around your wrist. 

How can you prepare for future outages? 

Keeping a few things on hand for power outages can help you be more prepared and keep you safer:

  • Car charger to charge devices 
  • Flashlight(s)
  • Portable radio
  • Extra batteries
  • Extra blankets or sleeping bags
  • First-aid kit
  • Emergency supply of bottled water
  • Supply of food that does not require cooking

Community & service reporter (they/them)
Reegan Davis Saunders is Signal Akron’s community & service reporter. Reegan studied journalism and art at Kent State University, and they are passionate about the intersection of the two disciplines.

Although Reegan grew up in metro Detroit, they have always been an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. After living in Kent the past few years, they are excited to explore more of Akron, especially the coffee shops.

At Signal Akron, Reegan hopes to serve underrepresented communities by creating more accessible content.