News Release from: Pacific Power
PACIFIC POWER CREWS BATTLING SOUTHERN OREGON SNOWSTORM TO RESTORE ELECTRICITY TO CUSTOMERS
Posted: December 21st, 2012 10:46 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:45 A.M. Dec. 21, 2012
Media contact: 800-570-5838
Pacific Power crews battling southern Oregon snowstorm to restore electricity to customers
Restoration progress is being made, but some customers may be without power through weekend
GRANTS PASS--Pacific Power crews and equipment drawn from across the Northwest are concentrated on restoring power to approximately 13,000 Pacific Power customers in southern Oregon and an additional 1,000 in northern California. Deep snow and hundreds of downed trees and limbs strewn across a rugged landscape are complicating the work of more than 100 Pacific Power crews and contractors working around the clock in the area.
Restoration work has been challenging as deep snow is blocking roads, delaying equipment and crews. In several locations, crews have assessed and repaired lines only to have to return and repair again due to continued snow and tree problems. Crews are making steady progress now and expect to continue to restore more customers as the day progresses, even as the prospect of another storm looms.
At this time Pacific Power is unable to accurately estimate when full restoration will occur, due to the ongoing weather impacts. Weather conditions are uncertain and access to some areas is severely limited or some cases completely impassable.
The hardest hit areas are:
* Grants Pass and Josephine County : 13,067
* Yreka: 915
Shelters. Pacific Power is working with the Red Cross and local emergency management to open emergency warming shelters in areas that could experience extended outages. Shelters are being organized at the city hall in Cave Junction, the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass and the Sunny Wolf Charter School in Wolf Creek. These centers are expected to open this afternoon. Call the Pacific Power customer line at 888-221-7070 for more details as they become available. The information will also be posted at pacificpower.net/outages.
Crews from Coos Bay, Roseburg, Bend, Medford and elsewhere throughout the Pacific Power system are assisting in assessing damage and beginning repairs. Additional tree trimming crews, flagging crews and other contract line crews are being brought into the area. Snowcats and other special equipment to deal with conditions are also being deployed.
Stay warm and safe. Working with the county and other local emergency officials, Pacific Power is urging customers to stay safe. Avoid any downed lines. Conserve warmth. Use fires and candles wisely. Do not use BBQs indoors. If using a generator, make sure it is properly wired into your home and that fumes from the unit are vented well away from any living areas.
Please keep in mind that if there is damage to your meter base or weatherhead, it will need to be repaired by a licensed electrician before power be can be restored.
Call 1-877-508-5088 to report any downed lines.
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