Streets are looking much better today, but still watch out for slippery spots.
As of 12:30 p.m., there were 1,427 people still out of power in Hamilton County. Most are small groups of homes or single locations, but apparently there were some larger areas in Green Township who were out this morning, and Duke was working to get to those areas as soon as possible. They are also prioritizing any homes that have more vulnerable residents.
When I spoke with them this morning, Duke officials said they anticipate getting everyone in the region back on by the end of Saturday, and that includes the more rural counties that are harder to reach. Which means they are confident that most Hamilton County homes will be back up before then.
We appreciate citizens' patience with yesterday's Level 3 status. That decision made a real difference in allowing our public safety and public service officials to safely do the job of cleaning up. And it no doubt headed off countless accidents and potential injuries.
As in all situations like this, we will of course analyze ways that all involved could have done better.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Update from Duke Energy
Here's an update from Duke at 2:00 p.m. Note the concern for later about winds potentially knocking down weak trees and limbs. Be careful out there!
"STORM UPDATE REPORT
As of 2:00 p.m. there are approximately 32,800 customers without electric service in the Duke Energy Ohio service territory. The outages by County are as follows: Brown (2,900), Butler (300), Clermont (21,600), Clinton (2), Hamilton (4,400 -- NOTE: at 3:54, it was down to 3,622), Highland (3), and Warren (2,000). There are currently 395 Duke Energy Ohio resources working on restoration. Included in that 395 employees are 77 native contract crews. Additionally, there are 320 Vegetation Management resources on system. Duke Energy Carolinas has sent 84 resources and contractors to help with the restoration effort as well. Finally, there are 368 mutual assistance on property for a total of 1244 resources working on restoration. Currently we have 7 distribution feeders locked out and 1 transmission facility out. The transmission outage affects 4 of the 7 distribution feeders.
The weather appears to have moved through the service territory. We are still assessing the storm damage and are unable at this time to provide an estimated restoration time. The peak of Ohio service territory outages was approximately 40,000 customers. This occurred approximately 11:00 a.m. this morning. Weather conditions appear to be stable, however, dropping temperatures are not allowing for any of the ice accumulation to melt. If winds begin to pick up this could cause our customer outages to increase significantly."
"STORM UPDATE REPORT
As of 2:00 p.m. there are approximately 32,800 customers without electric service in the Duke Energy Ohio service territory. The outages by County are as follows: Brown (2,900), Butler (300), Clermont (21,600), Clinton (2), Hamilton (4,400 -- NOTE: at 3:54, it was down to 3,622), Highland (3), and Warren (2,000). There are currently 395 Duke Energy Ohio resources working on restoration. Included in that 395 employees are 77 native contract crews. Additionally, there are 320 Vegetation Management resources on system. Duke Energy Carolinas has sent 84 resources and contractors to help with the restoration effort as well. Finally, there are 368 mutual assistance on property for a total of 1244 resources working on restoration. Currently we have 7 distribution feeders locked out and 1 transmission facility out. The transmission outage affects 4 of the 7 distribution feeders.
The weather appears to have moved through the service territory. We are still assessing the storm damage and are unable at this time to provide an estimated restoration time. The peak of Ohio service territory outages was approximately 40,000 customers. This occurred approximately 11:00 a.m. this morning. Weather conditions appear to be stable, however, dropping temperatures are not allowing for any of the ice accumulation to melt. If winds begin to pick up this could cause our customer outages to increase significantly."
New Update on Winter Storm
Due to wind and more snow, more citizens lost power after the previous update. The most recent total of outages was 4,615, which was a decrease from 8,000 in the late morning.
Clink on the following links for up-to-the-minute Duke numbers, and a map of where power remains out. Again, call the hotline at 1 800 543-5599 if you have an outage.
The Sheriff announced at 3 p.m. his decision to end Level III status at 4 p.m. In the meantime, continue to stay off the roads if at all possible. And stay away from downed power lines, or any objects touching a downed power line.
Our deepest condolences go out to the public servant in Indian Hill who lost his life today trying to help residents get through this storm.
Clink on the following links for up-to-the-minute Duke numbers, and a map of where power remains out. Again, call the hotline at 1 800 543-5599 if you have an outage.
The Sheriff announced at 3 p.m. his decision to end Level III status at 4 p.m. In the meantime, continue to stay off the roads if at all possible. And stay away from downed power lines, or any objects touching a downed power line.
Our deepest condolences go out to the public servant in Indian Hill who lost his life today trying to help residents get through this storm.
Major Storm Blows Through: New Update
UPDATE: Sheriff's Department has declared a Level III snow emergency. This means it is mandatory to stay off the roads to allow for plowing.
Hamilton County Commission business is closed for the day, which includes the cancellation of our regular weekly meeting.
Duke is rapidly getting power back to Hamilton County homes. At 7 am, there were about 8,000 out of power. By 8:15 am, it was less than 4,000. As of 9:00 a.m., it was down to 2,715.
If you or someone you know is out of power, the best thing to do is call Duke's hotline (800-543-5599). Most of the outages are in small clusters, so calling the hotline directly and letting Duke know that your power is out is critical. Otherwise, Duke may/will not know you need help.
Other than that, the best advice is to stay off the roads, and stay away from downed power lines.
Hamilton County Commission business is closed for the day, which includes the cancellation of our regular weekly meeting.
Duke is rapidly getting power back to Hamilton County homes. At 7 am, there were about 8,000 out of power. By 8:15 am, it was less than 4,000. As of 9:00 a.m., it was down to 2,715.
If you or someone you know is out of power, the best thing to do is call Duke's hotline (800-543-5599). Most of the outages are in small clusters, so calling the hotline directly and letting Duke know that your power is out is critical. Otherwise, Duke may/will not know you need help.
Other than that, the best advice is to stay off the roads, and stay away from downed power lines.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A View of the Banks
The private developer leading the Banks Project just launched a new website featuring the work there, updates on progress, as well as hints of what it will look like in the not too distant future.
Take a look here.
Take a look here.
2009 Economic Forecast: A Dark Tunnel, with a Light at the End
I attended the 2009 Economic Forecast breakfast put on by the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Chambers this morning. It painted a challenging picture.
Nationally, while the economist who spoke predicted several more quarters of tough times--and an overall down year in 2009--he did project that aspects of the economy should pick up toward the end of the year.
On a regional level, "it's going to be a rough year for the Greater Cincinnati economy." The economist predicted lower GDP, and lower employment for 2009. Again, she predicted that the decline will be most dramatic in the first part of the year, with the hope that things pick up in the latter half.
Both presenters placed strong emphasis on the importance of the stimulus in kickstarting the economy in 2009.
This forecast, combined with the news we received yesterday that our Local Government Fund allocation from the state was slashed $640,000 more than we had anticipated (and we had anticipated a large cut), and recent unemployment numbers, reinforces several things:
Nationally, while the economist who spoke predicted several more quarters of tough times--and an overall down year in 2009--he did project that aspects of the economy should pick up toward the end of the year.
On a regional level, "it's going to be a rough year for the Greater Cincinnati economy." The economist predicted lower GDP, and lower employment for 2009. Again, she predicted that the decline will be most dramatic in the first part of the year, with the hope that things pick up in the latter half.
Both presenters placed strong emphasis on the importance of the stimulus in kickstarting the economy in 2009.
This forecast, combined with the news we received yesterday that our Local Government Fund allocation from the state was slashed $640,000 more than we had anticipated (and we had anticipated a large cut), and recent unemployment numbers, reinforces several things:
- we must continue to search for each and every way possible to kickstart the local economy
- with such turbulent and unpredictable times ahead of us, we must be incredibly conservative protecting our County reserve fund, and any general fund dollars
- I am glad that we projected revenues so conservatively going into the year -- assuming a 4% sales tax decrease (from the prior year) for 4 months, then a 2% decrease for each month following. Knock on wood--those pretty negative forecasts will hold.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Challenge Your Property Valuation, Beginning Today
Starting today, the County Board of Revision begins to conduct hearings for citizens who want to challenge the valuation of their property value by the County Auditor's office.
I, and the County Auditor and County Treasurer, comprise the Board, and we each have appointed designees who will hear each and every case. Challenges must be filed between January 1 and March 31.
Necessary forms, instructions and guidelines for filing a challenge can be obtained by calling the Board of Revision office at 513/946-4035. You can also access the information at the Board of Revision web site.
I, and the County Auditor and County Treasurer, comprise the Board, and we each have appointed designees who will hear each and every case. Challenges must be filed between January 1 and March 31.
Necessary forms, instructions and guidelines for filing a challenge can be obtained by calling the Board of Revision office at 513/946-4035. You can also access the information at the Board of Revision web site.
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