High winds reaching speeds of 50 miles per hour swept through the area today, causing multiple power outages across the West Plains service area. Thanks to the quick response and hard work of local utility crews, power has now been fully restored to all affected customers.
Throughout the day, crews responded to several weather-related incidents, including:
- West Main Street – 17 accounts lost power after a pole top terminator burned up, triggering a fuse to open.
- Bratton Avenue – 1 account was impacted by a broken pole, caused directly by the high winds.
- Substation Circuit – 637 accounts were left without power when the strong winds caused power lines to hit together, which opened a circuit at the substation.
- Tree Damage – 4 accounts lost service after a fallen tree took down a secondary power line leading to a home.
Crews worked diligently in extremely difficult conditions, braving the harsh wind and cold to complete repairs. Apprentice Lineman Daniel Davis described the challenges of working during today’s storm:
“The wind burns your face and makes you colder, faster. When you’re 30+ feet in the air in a bucket, the wind is moving you, making it even harder to do the job. It takes extra focus and effort to get the work done safely.”
The City of West Plains extends a huge thank you to these dedicated linemen and utility workers for their tireless efforts and commitment to keeping the community powered.
If any residents are still experiencing power issues, they are encouraged to report outages by calling 417-256-7176.
As spring approaches, the City also reminds residents to stay weather aware and be prepared for future storms that could bring high winds and severe weather.
