JUNE 16, 2022:
West Central Electric Coop was able to get power back on for nearly all of its customers yesterday (June 15, 2022) after three nights of storms created extensive damage earlier this week.
According to Facebook posts last night and this morning, they got the transmission line and most accounts turned back on, but they still have a few accounts in Belvidere and north of Philip without power.
West Central started yesterday morning with approximately 2,200 meters without power and currently have 68 of those left to get back online. In the last two days, neighboring co-ops and contractors, the line crews have been able to either temporarily repair or replace over 270 broken poles.
West Central says members who need power today to a well or another account that’s still offline, please contact them at 605-669-8100 to get on their list. Their goal is for every home to have power by the end of the day.
They are still finding damages, so please stay away from downed power lines. Also, please report any damages you see because crews may not have gotten to those areas yet.
Storm damage repair work.
Photos courtesy of West Central Electric Coop’s Facebook page.
Storm damage repair work.
Photos courtesy of West Central Electric Coop’s Facebook page.
Storm damage repair work.
Photos courtesy of West Central Electric Coop’s Facebook page.
Storm damage repair work.
Photos courtesy of West Central Electric Coop’s Facebook page.
Storm damage repair work.
Photos courtesy of West Central Electric Coop’s Facebook page.
Storm damage repair work.
Photos courtesy of West Central Electric Coop’s Facebook page.
Storm damage repair work.
Photos courtesy of West Central Electric Coop’s Facebook page.
Storm damage repair work.
Photos courtesy of West Central Electric Coop’s Facebook page.
Storm damage repair work.
Photos courtesy of West Central Electric Coop’s Facebook page.
JUNE 14, 2022:
West Central Electric Cooperative crews continue to try to repair lines and poles damaged after severe storms ripped through western and central South Dakota the past three nights.
Manager of Member Services Jessie Tucker says repair crews made significant progress yesterday (June 13, 2022) only to get set back again by the storm that hit overnight.
The Philip area had the brunt of the damage from over the weekend, but Tucker says this round hit hardest in the Kadoka area.
Tucker says as of mid-day today, they had 2200 accounts offline again.
Tucker says other companies and contractors have come in to help.
One bright spot, Tucker says, is they are able to get the materials they need to make the repairs.
Tucker says in its 72 years of existence, West Central Electric has never had this much transmission line damage– and that was before the new damage overnight. He also reminds people to stay away from downed power lines.
Courtesy photo.
Image is a screenshot of the outage map on West Central Electric Cooperative’s website. This shows the information as of 2:49pm on June 14, 2022.
JUNE 13, 2022:
Roughly 2600 West Central Electric Cooperative meters are still without power as of mid-afternoon today (June 13, 2022) after two severe storm systems moved through western and central South Dakota over the weekend.
Manager of Member Services Jessie Tucker says the majority of the power outage is in Jackson and Haakon counties.
Tucker says around 225 poles and many power lines were broken.
Tucker says repair crews are making progress and West Central Electric hopes to have power back on for most of its members yet tonight.
Tucker says they’re grateful most people understand the scope of the outage and are being patient.
The power outage hits just as hot, humid summer temperatures settle into South Dakota this week.
Image is a screenshot of the outage map on West Central Electric Cooperative’s website. This shows the information as of 3:38pm on June 13, 2022.
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