Crews Restore 80–90% Power in Owsley; Green Haul, Buncomb Still Out

Crews working after a winter-storm-related outage restored electricity to roughly 80-90% of Owsley County customers by Feb. 3-4, 2026, city staff reported. The bulk of the county regained service, easing immediate concerns about heating, communications and food safety for most households.

Despite widespread restoration, several pockets remained without power. City staff identified Green Haul, Buncomb, Buffalo, Spencer Fork and a section of Highway 708 as still affected. Residents in those areas continued to face cold homes and limited access to electric-dependent services as crews worked to reach lines in remote hollers and along narrow county roads.

The outages followed heavy winter weather that left lines and infrastructure stressed across the region. Restoring electricity in Owsley has required coordinated, labor-intensive work to reach rural circuits and repair damage where it occurred. City staff credited the pace of restoration to crews working long shifts and prioritizing critical customers while tackling access and safety challenges on icy roads.

For most Owsley households the return of power reduced immediate risks. Schools, small businesses and medical needs that rely on electricity were able to resume normal operations in communities where service returned. Community members in the hardest-hit hollers continued mutual aid efforts, checking on elderly neighbors and sharing generators and warm spaces where possible.

The outages also underscored the county’s vulnerability to winter storms and the importance of local preparedness. Residents in affected areas were encouraged to take standard precautions until full restoration, including conserving phone battery life, using alternate heat sources safely and checking on neighbors who may be isolated. Those with medical equipment that requires electricity should follow existing emergency plans and seek help from county emergency services if needed.

City staff said crews would continue targeted repairs until all customers were restored. Progress will depend on safe road access and the condition of damaged lines. For residents, the immediate need is practical: clear driveways where safe, keep an eye on county communications and help family and neighbors who may still be without power.

As crews press on to restore service to Green Haul, Buncomb, Buffalo, Spencer Fork and the stretch of Highway 708, the community can expect incremental updates and a gradual return to normalcy. The storm’s disruption highlights the county’s reliance on resilient local networks, and the collective effort now under way will determine how quickly the final pockets of Owsley regain heat and light.