Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) is working through the blizzard to restore power to all customers as quickly as safely possible. However, weather and hazardous conditions are making our response challenging.
As of 1:50 p.m., the number of power outages has risen to more than 97,000. It is now among our Top 10 storms for outages.
So far, we’ve seen severe and widespread wind damage to power infrastructure, including more than one hundred poles broken and toppled and wires down throughout our service territory. Damage is particularly extensive around North Bend, Fremont and Ashland.
Our line crews, troubleshooters and many others are out in the field right now. Their safety in these extreme conditions is OPPD’s top priority, and a lot of the work will require extensive repairs and rebuilding of long sections of power line. Restoration work will take time. We thank customers in advance for their patience and understanding.
Due to the widespread damage and poor visibility, we do not have estimated restoration times right now but will provide more information as soon as it becomes available. Because of the nature of this storm, and the damage we're seeing to poles and equipment, this will be a multiday outage event. Barring unforeseen circumstances, power may be restored by end of day Monday, though for a majority it may be restored sooner.
It’s all-hands-on-deck for OPPD right now. We have 10 two-person troubleshooter crews, 45 line and cable splicer crews, seven underground cable crews and five heavy equipment operators supporting digging and transmission line repair needs. We have also reached out for mutual aid support and are getting help so far from our contractors with LE Myers (11 crews) and Watts (10 crews). Our neighboring utilities are handling outages, as well. So, any additional support we receive in our area will likely have to come from a little farther away.
As a reminder, customers can report outages online at oppd.com, via our OPPDConnect app or by calling 1-800-554-6773. If you encounter a downed power line or wire, stay far away and always assume that is live and high voltage. Contact OPPD right away to report the fallen line.