Over 18,000 Power Outages In The Northland Due To Wet & Heavy Snow
More than 18,000 homes were without power in both Minnesota and Superior, WI as of Thursday morning thanks to the heavy and wet snow from the winter storm.
Over the past two days, Minnesota and other areas got packed with snow from the winter storm. The current snowfall even was a history-maker. It entered the history books for as a top-10 two-day snow event in Duluth reaching a total of 21.4 inches.
According to Minnesota Power:
A foot or more of additional heavy, wet snow and high winds brought down numerous trees and limbs on power lines across the companies’ service areas, causing outages affecting about 14,800 Minnesota Power customers and 3,600 SWL&P customers as of 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Minnesota Power has reports of at least 100 wires down across its service territory.
I woke up this morning without power, but luckily it was back on within an hour. However, while I was shoveling, there was a cable down in the alley a few houses away from me.
Minnesota Power also stated that all available crews are in the field working to restore power as quickly as possible. However, we all know how unpredictable the Minnesota weather can be. It also doesn't help that the snow is very wet and heavy (remember to bend with your knees while shoveling).
They also stated that crews are using snowmobiles and other tracked vehicles to patrol power lines where roads are not yet plowed. The largest outages were centered along the I-35 corridor from Cloquet to Hinckley and in the Nisswa-Pine River area north of Brainerd.
Minnesota Power suggested that customers that are still without power should consider securing alternative lodging for at least one night.
On the Wisconsin side of things, Superior Light & Power expects to restore power to all customers today (Thursday).