Power Outages in Area Tuesday

A storm Tuesday evening, Aug. 18, knocked out power to more than 2,100 electric customers around the Fayette County area. Most of the outages were in the southern part of the County.

A weak cold front passed through the area, which allowed thunderstorms to produce strong downdraft winds across the area. Fayette Electric Cooperative estimated straight-line wind speeds of 40 to 60 mph based on damage to power lines. FEC’s Catherine Poppe said the storm damaged 14 of the Cooperative’s power poles, including some that were made of steel.

“An estimated 2,117 Fayette Electric Cooperative members were left in the dark as the severe unexpected weather blew through the area,” FEC said in a press release issued Wednesday morning. FEC crews and contractor crews responded at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday evening and worked throughout the night until power was restored to the majority of members by 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

Some residents in Schulenburg also went without power Tuesday night. Schulenburg City Administrator Tami Walker said the City restored power around 11:45 p.m. Tuesday to 29 residents in town. Another eight City electric customers south of town on St. John Road remained without power Wednesday morning.

“Our crews had to deal with limbs on the lines and debris,” Walker said. FEC reported most of their outages were in the Schulenburg, Swiss Alp, High Hill, Freyburg, Elm Grove, Moravia, Plum, Muldoon, and Kirtley areas.

“The severe weather and high winds that this summer thunderstorm caused is unfortunate for our members since it caused extensive power outages for our members and damage to our system,” said FEC General Manager Gary Don Nietsche. “We appreciate our member’s patience as our crews all worked as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to the members affected by the storms.”