Spring Storm Brings Ice and Outages in Beaver County

Members in Beaver County are asked to prepare for overnight power outages due to weather conditions obstructing the Tri-County Electric Cooperative’s efforts to restore power safely.

The cooperative’s service territory has been impacted by a spring storm bringing ice, wind, and unseasonably cold temperatures overnight and throughout the day. Ice and winds have affected transmission lines in Beaver County causing lines to gallop, sway and slap together. These conditions have also damaged parts of the distribution system including breakers, poles, cross arms and insulators. Approximately 1,000 meters in Beaver County as of 3 p.m. are affected by this power outage. Until temperatures rise and the winds relax, the transmission lines cannot be re-energized safely. The potential for further major damage to the cooperative’s infrastructure at this time is simply too great. Because of this it is very likely the majority of the outage will remain in effect until Wednesday morning.

“Our number one goal is the safety of employees and members and the electric system,” noted Zac Perkins, vice president of Corporate Services. “Our crews will continue to work on known problems in the meantime and we hope to have service restored as quickly as the weather conditions permit.”

Perkins said members should call 800-522-3315 to report an outage.