Power Plant Explosion

Please be advised; Broken Bow Municipal electric will begin reenergizing the area affected by the power outage at 1:20 P.M. today, February 21, 2025.

Citizens are encouraged to inspect property for potential problems as things begin to warm up, once power is restored. PLEASE BE ADVISED; power may cycle off-and-on a number of times this afternoon as the system is fully brought online.

David Schmidt
City Administrator
City of Broken Bow
City of Broken Bow-Government

Important update from Broken Bow after this morning’s explosion at the power plant:

Thankfully there were only minor injuries, but a frigid night with some residents without power is going to be dangerous.

Please click the link for hotel info.

https://www.custercountychief.com/news/power-plant-explosion-update—prepare-for-a-night-without-power—hotels/article_d5e3bc80-efe6-11ef-a8cf-276a126e9022.html

City of Broken Bow-Government
Date: February 20, 2025

Explosion at Municipal Power Plant –

Emergency Response and Ongoing Efforts
Broken Bow, NE – At approximately 06:17 AM, an explosion occurred at the Municipal
Power Plant located in the 800 Block of South B St, Broken Bow, NE 68822. Emergency
crews from multiple agencies, including the Broken Bow Fire Department, Broken Bow
Ambulance Service, Merna Volunteer Fire Department, Sargent Volunteer Fire
Department, Broken Bow Police Department, Custer County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska
State Patrol, and the City of Broken Bow, responded following reports of multiple
explosions and a subsequent fire.
The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

Injuries & Response Efforts

At the time of the explosion, two city employees were inside the power plant. Both
individuals sustained minor injuries and were transported to Jennie M. Melham Memorial
Medical Center by Broken Bow Ambulance Service out of an abundance of caution.
Power Outages & Restoration

The explosion resulted in a city-wide power outage. The Broken Bow Electric
Department has successfully rerouted power to restore service to most areas. However,
some locations remain affected as crews work to fully restore power. The following areas
are currently without service:

• North 8th & C St
• North 9th & J St
• North 10th & H St
• North 11th & H St
• North 12th & H St
• North 12th & D St
• North B-14th St
• Hwy 2 to South B St to 15th St

Additionally, the explosion impacted the City’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
(SCADA) systems, which automates key water service controls. Crews are currently
working to manually maintain and control water services until the system can be
restored.

Emergency Shelters Open

For those still without power or heat, the following emergency shelters are open:

• North Park School – 1135 North H St, Broken Bow, NE 68822

• Third City Christian Church – 831 Buffalo Run Rd, Broken Bow, NE 68822

City crews have begun welfare checks on residents without power and are informing them of available shelters. Assistance will be provided to those needing transportation to a
shelter.

Public Advisory

We urge residents to stay clear of the area while emergency crews continue their work.
An Emergency Declaration has been signed by the Mayor.

We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
In case of emergency, please call 911.

At 10:03 AM, Broken Bow Ambulance Service and Broken Bow Police Department began organizing and conducting welfare checks for residents in the affected areas.

By 12:22 PM, emergency responders had gone door-to-door at 84 residences, leaving informational door hangers with details on emergency shelters and guidance for residents to keep faucets dripping to prevent freezing pipes.

Emergency crews have returned to the scene to address hot spots that have developed.

City crews, along with Custer Power and Nebraska Public Power District, continue working to restore power. However, at this time, there is no estimated timeline for full restoration.

While we remain hopeful that power will be restored in the coming hours, we want residents in affected areas to prepare for a night without power.

City crews are conducting a second round of welfare checks in affected areas and informing residents of available hotels.

Hotel Availability for Affected Residents

The following hotels have notified the City of Broken Bow-Government of room availability for affected residents.

Residents in the affected area who need a room will not be turned away due to inability to pay so long as rooms are available. If you need a room, please call one of the hotels directly:

• Arrow Hotel – 509 S 9th Ave, Broken Bow, NE 68822 | (308) 872-6662

• Boarders Inn and Suites by Cobblestone – 215 E South E St, Broken Bow, NE 68822 |
(308) 872-6428

• Cobblestone Hotel & Suites – Broken Bow – 2750 S 27th Ave, Broken Bow, NE 68822 |
(308) 767-2060

If hotels run out of rooms;

Third City Christian Church at 831 Buffalo Run Rd, Broken Bow, NE 68822 will remain open as a shelter.

They advised to bring pillows and blankets if you are coming to stay with them.

UPDATE : Link to Press Conference … https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DtRTBBxje/

(BROKEN BOW, Neb.) — The community had just recovered from a power outage this morning when Custer County Scanner learned that an explosion and ensuing fire had occurred. Here’s more from Midwest Melanie.

From Midwest Media by Melanie

Power is back on for now for most of Broken Bow, but a morning explosion at the Broken Bow power plant put a pause on power. Limited information at this time. With temperatures in the negative 20’s, pray for the best! Prayers for those without power, plant employees, emergency crews, and anyone involved.

From Custer County Sheriff’s Office

“There was a fire/explosion at the power plant in Broken Bow this morning. Please stay out of the the downtown area around 8th and South C Street, so emergency crews can resolve this situation. Thank you!” – Sheriff Osmon