Minnesota Power and SWL&P ready to respond to storm outages

Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power say they are prepared to respond to outages during the predicted freezing rain, snow, thunderstorms, and high hinds predicted for the next few days.

“The companies’ line crews are spending part of Thursday ensuring staffing levels, fueling trucks, checking equipment and conducting an inventory of replacement parts to ensure they can quickly and safely reach and repair any problems caused by the weather,” explained Amy Rutledge, Director of Corporate Communications with Minnesota Power/ALLETE. “The forecast includes wind gusts of up to 35 mph in some areas that may make travel hazardous and difficult when combined with freezing rain and heavy, wet snow. Such wind gusts also can cause power outages as trees and branches coated in ice and snow snap and fall onto lines and poles.”

Rutledge went on to advise the public not to go near any downed power lines or attempt to remove trees or branches that have fallen on lines.

People can call (800) 228-4966 to report an outage to Minnesota Power or (715) 394-2200 to report an outage to Superior Water, Light, and Power.

The latest outages for the respective power companies can be found here and here.

The latest forecasts from WDIO’s Storm Track Weather team can be found here.