Widespread Power Outages

(SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.) — Several towns around the panhandle experienced nearly simultaneous power outages in the early morning hours Sunday.

UPDATES…

View Video from @Rightturnchasers of hundreds of downed power poles

SCOTTSBLUFF

FOOD AT OPEN SHELTER

There is food available at Zion Evangelical Church (address below).
You do not have to be utilizing the shelter to get food.

If you haven’t had a good meal today because of the outages please go to the shelter to get food.

Zion Evangelical Church
3617 5th Avenue
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

The shelters will remain open overnight, and you can get your phone charged if need be!

All WNCC campuses currently have power, so we will be open Monday, April 8! Check Blackboard for individual class instructions! If you’re someplace without power and need help, please let us know!

If you are an NPPD customer, use this tool.

GERING

From City of Gering

2:30 pm April 8, 2024

GERING – The Gering Electric Department advises that there is one area of town that is still without power at this time. There are approximately 23 houses and four apartment complexes without power. This is due to a broken power pole. These are apartments and houses that are south of M Street. Crews have been working in the area (north side of Yucca and south side of K Street) since this morning and plan to have the final properties on line by 3:00 p.m. today. There could isolated incidents where individual properties have damage to their specific service line that the City isn’t aware of.
Residents that still don’t have power (that the City may not be aware of) should call the City Utility Office at (308) 436-6800.
Electric Superintendent, Doug Parker, stated “Since the outage began, my crews have worked tirelessly in very difficult conditions to restore service to our customers. I am very proud of the job they have done.”

Property owners that have low lines should call the City Utility Office at 436-6800 during regular business hours and a service order will be prepared for Electric Department staff to address the issue. Citizens should not touch or go near any downed or low lines.

The City appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation as staff worked through this emergency. City

Officials would also like to thank WAPA, Scotts Bluff County, the City of Scottsbluff, CERT, Region 22

Emergency Management and NPPD for their assistance.

Power continues to be restored in Gering, including the 10th Street Corridor. Most areas of Gering are now receiving power. Some properties (including apartments and several houses) south of M Street, west of 17th Street, won’t have power tonight. Additionally, the South side of K Street and the North side of Yucca will not be restored tonight, due to broken power poles. The area west of Geil School, and the Pathfinder subdivisions have been restored.

Property owners that have low lines should call the City Utility Office at 436-6800 during regular business hours and a service order will be prepared for Electric Department staff to address the issue. Citizens should not touch or go near any downed or low lines.

The City appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation as staff worked through this emergency. City Officials would also like to thank WAPA, Scotts Bluff County, the City of Scottsbluff, CERT, Region 22 Emergency Management and NPPD for their assistance.

From Region 22 Emergency Management

April 8, 2024 5:00 am

The Region 22 Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will close this morning at 8:00 a.m. The shelter operations at Zion Evangelical Church will close at 9:00 a.m.

Region 22 EMA wishes to thank everyone that assisted, big or small, with this incident. In addition to all of the line crews from all of the power districts, we want to thank the law enforcement agencies, fire departments and EMS agencies that assisted the public. We also want to thank the agencies and organizations that assisted in the EOC. Thank you to the City of Gering and City of Scottsbluff, Nebraska- Government, The Scotts Bluff County Commissioners, Scotts Bluff County CERT, Zion Evangelical Church, The Rock Church, Scottsbluff Public Schools, Tri-City Roadrunner, The Carpenter Center, Gering, NE Police Department, Gering Fire Department, Scottsbluff Police Department, Scottsbluff Fire Department, and many others that helped. As bad as this situation was, it could have been much worse. Thanks also to the public for their patience and understanding in a difficult situation.

Scotts Bluff County Emergency Management Region 22 : Blizzard conditions have impaired critical power sources that provide electric power to Gering and other local communities. Impacted areas include those served by Chimney Rock and Roosevelt Public Power District and others. Extended power outages are expected.

Officials ask citizens not to call 911 or the Communications Center regarding the power outage.

There are several street and road closures in Gering and the County due to downed power poles and power lines. Officials encourage motorists and pedestrians to avoid these areas and use alternate routes. If you see a downed power line, do not approach, turn around and find an alternate route.

The city of Scottsbluff currently has power. Retailers and gas stations are functioning normally to obtain necessities.

Local officials encourage citizens to reach out to family, friends and neighbors to ensure their safety and well-being.

Citizens can seek emergency shelter, for temporary or overnight needs, at the locations listed below. People who use oxygen concentrators and medications should bring their necessary supplies with them. We are coordinating additional shelters if necessary.

Zion Evangelical Church
3617 5th Avenue
Scottsbluff Nebraska 69361

The Rock Church (after 1pm)
3515 5th Avenue
Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361

Citizens using emergency generators are reminded to make sure that they are properly ventilated.

Tri-City Roadrunner bus service is available for emergency transportation.

For emergency transportation, shelter questions and concerns, call (308) 633-4467 or (308) 633-4464.

We will provide additional information through official news outlets as necessary

Per Rebecca Seifert Shields 6:30 AM

Gering friends, I just spoke with the Mayor and all of Gering is without power and will be for awhile. WAPA, Western Area Power has alot of their power poles and lines down from Wyoming to Bridgeport. The Communications Center is also down for awhile but they are moving to Scottsbluff and should be up soon. We are in talks with the Region 22 Emergency Manager to make plans as needed. Please share. Thank you.

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY CERT

Four members of the Scotts Bluff County CERT//SAR Team assisted Emergency Management Region 22, to set up an Emergency Shelter at Zion Church.

Just one of many things the CERT team assists with in an emergency.

TERRYTOWN

We will have coffee/hot chocolate and doughnuts at the Carpenter Center starting at 7 a.m. If you are in need please stop by.

The Carpenter Center opened from 12-2 today to help those without power. They served Sub Sandwiches, Chips, Bottled Water, and Coffee.

SIDNEY

High West Energy

High West Energy is hoping for the best when repairing over 250 power poles, but told customers to prepare for the worst. It could be a couple days before power is restored.

🔗 https://panhandle.newschannelnebraska.com/story/50647103/high-winds-continue-to-impact-panhandle-region

Roosevelt Public Power

BAYARD

BRIDGEPORT

KIMBALL

THANK YOU to our Electric lineman working all day through the weather to keep power up, our Wastewater Treatment Plant operator and Kimball Nebraska Police Department for keeping the community safe and utilities working. Electric Crew is working through the weather to keep your homes lit up and the heat on. Please call dispatch at 235-3615 with outages as needed.