Severe thunderstorms swept through West Plains on Friday, April 4, bringing high winds and heavy lightning that caused widespread power outages across the city. At the height of the storm, more than 1,500 customers were without power, according to West Plains Utilities.
The first outages were reported early in the morning near Saint Mary’s Church and the West Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant, where lightning strikes disrupted service. As the storm system intensified, additional circuits were affected, knocking out power in key areas including West Plains High School, Davis Drive, and residential neighborhoods such as Quail Run, Timber, and Stoneybrook.
Electric utility crews responded quickly and worked around the clock to restore service. Throughout the day, they faced numerous obstacles—including flooded areas, downed trees, and the need for power rerouting to restore electricity safely and efficiently.
By late Friday evening, all but two outages had been resolved. The remaining outages required specialized coordination with both an electrician and the Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc.
West Plains Utilities extended its gratitude to Cape Electric Supply for providing essential materials during the emergency response. The department also thanked McDonald’s and Pizza Shack for supporting utility workers with food during the long hours of repair work.
“We’re incredibly proud of our electric crews for their tireless work and grateful to the community for their patience and support,” the utility said in a statement.
As cleanup continues in affected areas, residents are reminded to report any lingering utility issues and to remain cautious around fallen branches and electrical equipment.
