Brief power outages reported across region thanks to ice, wind
Published 10:12 am Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Some Mower County residents lost power Monday night as a result of galloping transmission lines, according to electricity providers.
The area received about 2 inches of snow, but thanks to a little ice and winds around 18 mph and gusts up to 30 mph it can be hard to tell.
Austin Utilities reported some outages but didn’t have exact numbers, as the office is closed for Veterans Day.
Alliant Energy spokesman Ryan Stensland said power went out for 5,500 Alliant Energy customers in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.
Wind and ice caused transmission lines to whip about and touch, according to Stensland.
“When that wind is blowing to the point the lines are moving back and forth and come into contact with each other, they automatically shut down,” he said.
Stensland said the Alliant Energy outages began shortly before 6 p.m.
“Whether we like it or not, winter is here,” Stensland said.
Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services said its customers — who are also cooperative members — lost power as a result of the same issue with transmission lines. About 380 customers were without power from 6 to 8 p.m., according to spokeswoman Mary Nelson.