City Officials Looking For Answers After Last Week's Power Outages

After turned out the lights on more than 43,000 people around Lakewood, city officials started asking questions.

After all, power outages in the summer have become a common occurrence. But this year, it seems to be a more frequent problem — particularly for those who live in the center of the city.

has been inundated with complaints.

Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers said he’s listening. He met Wednesday with an official from the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company to talk about the problems.

FirstEnergy officials substation in Brooklyn was to blame for knocking out power to about 10,000 customers in Lakewood. As power from that substation was transferred, other substations went down, including the one in Lakewood.

However, most of the power was restored by Wednesday. 

Summers estimates 43,000 Lakewood residents were affected.

There were a few reasons for the outages including: the heat, the moisture from the rain, and the fact that the transformers never got a chance to cool off at night.

But some residents — in frequent problem areas — were still without power days later. That was one of the talking points during Summers’ meeting with CEI on Wednesday.

It turns out that five circuits in the city “are in bad shape,” and need repaired or replaced, Summers said.

Another 18 need to be reviewed.

“They understand that the service is exceptionally bad,” Summers said. “I expect to review the performance of the Lauderdale substation." 

The problems streets identified by Summers and CEI are Woodward, Northland, Madison, Marlowe and Lincoln avenues, along with Bunts and Warren roads.

Summers noted that areas most affected are geographically located right in the center of town.

“We’re putting more strain on the system,” he said, adding that the system is old and could use some updating.

On Monday, Summers has got another meeting slated — this time with the president of FirstEnergy. He said he’s willing to work with the utility company, even offering the use of city vehicles and tools so that power can be restored more quickly to residents. 

But, he said he also hopes to get some answers.

“What are the long-term issues and implications of providing service to a place like Lakewood?”