Working through night, crews return to service to more than 14,500 customers
PORTLAND, Ore. (Dec. 28, 2022) – Pacific Power crews and contractors are concentrating their efforts on the hardest hit communities as the Pacific Northwest continues to dig out from a fast-moving windstorm that caused widespread damage earlier this week.
“We now have nearly 350 field personnel at work throughout Oregon,” said Allen Berreth, vice president of operations. “The progress overnight was outstanding, and the work continues today as we move toward full restoration.”
As of 11 a.m. today, there are approximately 7,500 customers out of power, down from the 49,622 customers at the height of the wind event. Overall, more than 86,000 customers were affected by the storm at one time or another since Dec. 26.
The communities with the largest remaining outages include:
- Grants Pass: 4,600 customers with estimated restoration this evening with a few outages remaining through tomorrow morning
- Willamette Valley: 1,100 customers with estimated restoration by midnight tonight
- Astoria: 1,100 customers with estimated restoration by midnight tonight
- Coos Bay: 570 customers with estimated restoration by this evening
Visit pacificpower.net/outages for a map showing current restoration estimates.
Pacific Power encourages customers to report outages by calling 1-877-508-5088 or text OUT to 722797. Text STAT to 722797 to check the status of your outage.
To ease the inconvenience of power outages and assist crews in restoring power, Pacific Power suggests the following tips and safety precautions:
- Stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Call 911 and report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
- Don’t drive over downed power lines.
- Maintain safe distances from workers. Repair work is being done under our COVID-19 safety protocols. Waves and acknowledgement are welcome, but please allow crews to do their work at an appropriate distance both for operational and COVID-19 safety.
- If there is damage to your service mast or weather head, where the powerline connects to your home or business, you will need to contact a licensed electrician for repairs before service can be restored. Our crews can only work on company-owned equipment.
- Check on your neighbors, especially those who may need special assistance. Also, check with others who have electricity, to see if you can visit.
- If you have power at this time, keep mobile devices charged so that may be used in an emergency. Before anything happens, download the Pacific Power app to your smart device so you can have information readily available.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours.
- Remember your pets! Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy.
- If you are using alternate heat or cooking sources, remember to allow plenty of ventilation. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
- If you are using a generator, make sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the generator is outside and not near any household air intakes. Do not connect the generator directly to your breaker box as this can create a dangerous situation for crews working on the powerlines. Instead, plug essential appliances directly into the generator.
- Severe rains can create sewage overflows. The Oregon Health Authority has compiled tips for what to do if you suspect your water source may be flooded.
About Pacific Power
Pacific Power provides safe and reliable electric service to more than 764,000 customers in Oregon, Washington, and California. The company supplies customers with electricity from a diverse portfolio of generating plants including hydroelectric, natural gas, coal, wind, geothermal and solar resources. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 2 million customers in six western states. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net.
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