Storm Update: February 26, 2007
It’s almost two months now since the second ice storm ravaged our district. It has taken this long to get power restored to our customers first, and then to get a complete assessment of all 2400 plus miles of our system for the damage we have received from both ice storms. Nearly one in every five miles of our overhead power lines sustained some type of damage, including replacing over 2500 poles. The estimated cost to repair this damage is over six million dollars.
Now that this assessment is completed, we have been able to develop a complete plan and timetable to get all the necessary repairs finished.
All seasonal type of services (except irrigation) should be back in service by April 1st. All irrigation services should be completely restored by May 1st. These time schedules are dependant on what curves the weather may throw at us this spring.
Customers with center pivot systems may have to use a generator to move their pivots prior to May 1st. Our crews are working extra hours and will continue to do so till we have all of our repairs completed. We are being assisted by Frenchman-Cambridge Irrigation District as well as a crew from McCook Public Power District and Southwest Public Power District. Three electrical contractors are still working for us also.
Nebraska Public Power District has a time schedule of June 15th to have their transmission grid back to normal. We may experience more irrigation load control this summer till they have their system back to normal.
Until all of our repairs are completed there may be low hanging wires in some areas. Please be very careful since these lines may be energized. Your safety is very important to us at Twin Valleys Public Power District, so use caution anytime you see a line that still has a low clearance.
