Power outage linked to blown transformer

Friday, December 26, 2014

A blown transformer was linked to a widespread power outage Christmas Eve that left more than 9,000 people in the Mountain Home area without electricity for up to nine hours.

The transformer at the Elmore Substation, located about a mile north of the Danskin Power Plant, blew out around 10 p.m. Dec. 24, shutting off power to city residents and others living northeast and northwest of town, said Idaho Power spokesperson Stephanie McCurdy.

Freezing rain and snow also played a factor in the outage, which extended north up to Prairie and west to the Boise Stage Stop near the Elmore County line, McCurdy said. Idaho Power had three crews working throughout the night to restore power with the last customers back on line by 7:40 a.m. Dec. 25.

The winter storm was also linked to a number of slideoffs and crashes, according to initial reports. However, details on these accidents were not immediately available.

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Well, Mr. Dog, we've weathered some awesome wind rain and snow storms here this past year and this was the first outage of any magnitude we've seen. Pretty good record I'd say. Thanks to all the crews who were out away from their families on Christmas Eve in a terrible storm working to get the lights on again. We do appreciate what you do when the chips are down.

-- Posted by goatbeard on Sat, Dec 27, 2014, at 8:20 AM

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