Wind storm causes power outage in Plains
Linemen from NorthWestern Energy didn’t waste time getting power restored to Plains (Erin Jusseuame/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
The wind took the lines down during a gust on Central Avenue in Plains (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
NorthWestern Energy lineman Lloyd Rice gets a power line spliced and back working on Central Avenue in Plains on Oct. 17. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Wind gusts that were predicted for the area Oct. 17 proved to be a warning worth listening to.
At around 2:50 p.m, the gusts that moved through the town knocked down power lines on the corner of Second Street and Central Avenue. Witnesses said they had seen the wind bring both lines together, then short out and split. When the lines hit the ground they had a few sparks come up on some dry pine leaves.
One of the witnesses reported the downed lines. About 15 minutes later two representatives from Northwestern Energy arrived on scene. As local linemen arrived, they quickly got up to the wires and started the splicing process to get power back to residents and businesses.
About 1,300 Northwestern Energy customers were without power in the Plains area during the storm.