A squirrel zapped itself and shut down power for 3,000 in Kent

A massive Sunday morning power outage in Kent was caused by a squirrel.

One of Kent’s ubiquitous rodents (unsure what color) got into an electrical transformer near the intersection of West Main Street and Longmere Drive just after 8 a.m. Sunday, said an Ohio Edison spokesperson. 

An unfortunate move for the electrocuted squirrel. Meanwhile, some 3,000 businesses and residents were without power until 9:30 a.m.

Despite Ohio Edison’s best efforts to secure electrical components from local wildlife, it happens, the spokesperson said, adding that the utility company is redoubling its efforts to put wildlife diverters in the area.

Crews replaced the transformer. No word on what happened to the squirrel.