Platoons of utility workers will be out in force in Duluth and the Northland for a third consecutive day today, repairing damage left by severe storms that swept across the region early Thursday.
The storms brought hurricane-force winds to the Twin Ports and elsewhere in the Northland, downing trees and power lines on a scale not seen in years.
Combined, the three largest power companies in the Northland - Minnesota Power, Lake Country Power and Xcel Energy - reported about 33,400 customers without electricity as of 6 a.m. Saturday.
That was down from about 47,700 as of 8 a.m. Friday, and down from more than 75,000 at the peak of the storm aftermath on Thursday.
Minnesota Power reported Friday that the damage to the power grid in Duluth was particularly severe, with a number of broken poles and fallen trees still obstructing access.
ADVERTISEMENT
"As crews are restoring service to residential customers they are discovering that the damage is more extensive than first thought," the utility reported in a news release. "Restoring power to some pockets in rural Duluth and other severely damaged neighborhoods may be extended through the weekend."
Reinforcements from Missouri - 56 lineworkers and 25 heavy trucks from the utility company Ameren - arrived Friday to help Minnesota Power crews in repairing the worst damage the utility has seen since an April 2001 ice storm.
Minnesota Power called in additional help Friday night - 70 lineworkers from M.J. Electric - bringing the total number of lineworkers involved in restoration efforts to 226, along with another 200 support personnel, including 30 tree-removal crews. Crews are working 16-hour days, the utility reported.
"Power restoration in this situation is a phased approach," Minnesota Power reported. "Public safety and critical infrastructure is the first priority. Crews begin with the larger transmission lines, move to the primary distribution lines, then move into neighborhoods to repair individual services. This approach allows us to restore power to a larger number of customers as quickly as possible."
MORE COVERAGE
Off the grid: While utility crews work, Northland residents without power improvise, adapt
As storms hit, captain fought to keep freighter on course in Duluth ship canal
Storm damage reports from around the Northland
ADVERTISEMENT
Board of Trade Building remains closed because of storm damage
Lake Country Power also called in help from other utility companies - more than 100 lineworkers and other personnel - but said it will take into next week before all customers have power restored.
Nearly two-thirds of the cooperative's 42,000 members were affected by the storm, from Sturgeon Lake to the Canadian border, and from the Duluth area west to Leech Lake.
“Everyone deserves a pat on the back,” Todd Johnson, Lake Country Power’s director of operations, said in a news release late Friday. “We appreciate members’ patience. And crews have made amazing progress.”
