Live Update: Massive Power Outage Near You—Check the Real-Time Map to See If Your Area Is Affected

Residents across Pendleton County, West Virginia woke up in the dark early Friday after a nearly county-wide blackout left more than 5,900 FirstEnergy customers without electricity. Utility provider Mon Power began emergency repairs overnight and estimates full restoration by mid-morning, but exact times vary by neighborhood. Where the lights are still out • As of 4 a.m. ET, 99 % of households in Pendleton County remained offline, according to the local Office of Emergency Management. • Neighboring Highland VA and Grant WV reported scattered outages under 500 customers each. • Statewide, West Virginia logged more than 10,000 outages, placing it among the top five states for service interruptions this morning, based on real-time tracker PowerOutage.us. Why the outage happened Preliminary reports point to equipment failure at a Mon Power substation during overnight maintenance. High soil moisture from recent rain may have accelerated wear on underground cables, but crews are still investigating the root cause. How to check “power outage near me” 1. Visit the Mon Power outage map or download the FirstEnergy app for street-level updates and estimated restoration. 2. Text “REG” to 544487 to enroll in outage alerts (have your account number ready). 3. Use FEMA’s free mobile app to receive county-wide emergency push notifications. Safety tips until electricity returns • Keep refrigerator doors closed; food stays cold about four hours. • Charge phones in the car or with a power bank now to maintain connection. • Never run generators indoors—carbon monoxide kills. Place units at least 20 feet from doors and windows. • If you rely on medical equipment, head to the county warming center at the Pendleton Community Building, 346 Main St., Franklin. Expected restoration timeline Mon Power projects phased service resumption beginning around 5 a.m. Crews will prioritize critical infrastructure—hospitals, water plants and main distribution lines—before fixing individual taps that feed homes. Customers who receive a “power restored” text yet still have no electricity should reset breakers and then call 888-LIGHTSS to create a new ticket. What happens next The West Virginia Public Service Commission has requested a formal incident report from FirstEnergy. Grid analysts say the outage underscores the need for accelerated substation upgrades statewide, as extreme weather and aging infrastructure continue to stress equipment. Bookmark this page for live “power outage near me” updates throughout the morning.