UPDATED (8:00 PM)
Power continues to be restored in Gering, including the 10th Street Corridor. Most areas of Gering are now receiving power. Some properties (including apartments and several houses) south of M Street, west of 17th Street, won’t have power tonight. Additionally, the South side of K Street and the North side of Yucca will not be restored tonight, due to broken power poles. The area west of Geil School, and the Pathfinder subdivisions have been restored.
Property owners that have low lines should call the City Utility Office at 436-6800 during regular business hours and a service order will be prepared for Electric Department staff to address the issue. Citizens should not touch or go near any downed or low lines.
The City appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation as staff worked through this emergency. City Officials would also like to thank WAPA, Scotts Bluff County, the City of Scottsbluff, CERT, Region 22 Emergency Management and NPPD for their assistance.
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UPDATED (7:00 PM):
Power continues to be restored in Gering, including the 10th Street Corridor. Most areas of Gering are now receiving power. Some properties (including apartments and several houses) south of M Street, west of 17th Street, won’t have power tonight. The area west of Geil School should have power within the next hour.
Property owners that have low lines should call the City Utility Office at 436-6800 during regular business hours and a service order will be prepared for Electric Department staff to address the issue. Citizens should not touch or go near any downed or low lines.
The City appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation as staff worked through this emergency. City Officials would also like to thank WAPA, Scotts Bluff County, the City of Scottsbluff, CERT, Region 22 Emergency Management and NPPD for their assistance.
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UPDATED (4:50 PM):
At approximately 2:30 p.m. this afternoon, Western Area Power Administration officials notified the Emergency Operations Center that a portion of their service to Gering has been restored.
The City of Gering electric department is in the process of conducting repairs to restore power to citizens. Some areas of Gering may not have power immediately due to storm damage.
Shortly after 3 p.m., power was also being restored to portions of both Bridgeport and Bayard.
Meanwhile, in rural areas, KNEB News has confirmed over 600 power poles have been damaged, and will need to be totally rebuilt.
Roosevelt Public Power said their customers in the Gering Valley will not get power back for days.
Chimney Rock Public Power said that the damage to their system is significant to areas south and west of McGrew, and their customers served by that area will not see service resorted until at least Tuesday, if not longer.
Rural power utilities are having to order supplies and call in mutual aid from other states to help with the damage.
City and County officials request patience from the public as crews do their best to restore power as quickly as possible.
Staff at Zion Evangelical Church in Scottsbluff say they’re serving food to those in need, whether or not they’re sheltering at the church.
Bridgeport residents without power can use the school lockerooms/showers will be available from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; please enter through the Bulldog Doors.
Storm related school closures Monday include Gering, Bridgeport, Bayard, Potter-Dix and Peyton. GPS spokesperson Jennifer Sibal says even if power is fully restored to the community Sunday evening, Gering Schools will remain closed the entire day Monday, giving district staff time to bring heating systems back online and assess any technology/power issues from the prolonged outage.
—ORIGINAL STORY—
Blizzard conditions have impaired critical power sources that provide electric power to Gering and other local communities. Impacted areas include those served by Chimney Rock and Roosevelt Public Power District and others. Extended power outages are expected.
Officials ask citizens not to call 911 or the Communications Center regarding the power outage.
There are several street and road closures in Gering and the County due to downed power poles and power lines. Officials encourage motorists and pedestrians to avoid these areas and use alternate routes. If you see a downed power line, do not approach, turn around and find an alternate route.
The city of Scottsbluff currently has power. Retailers and gas stations are functioning normally to obtain necessities.
Local officials encourage citizens to reach out to family, friends and neighbors to ensure their safety and well-being.
Citizens can seek emergency shelter, for temporary or overnight needs, at the locations listed below. People who use oxygen concentrators and medications should bring their necessary supplies with them. We are coordinating additional shelters if necessary.
Zion Evangelical Church
3617 5th Avenue
Scottsbluff Nebraska 69361
The Rock Church (after 1pm)
3515 5th Avenue
Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361
Citizens using emergency generators are reminded to make sure that they are properly ventilated.
Tri-City Roadrunner bus service is available for emergency transportation.
For emergency transportation, shelter questions and concerns, call (308) 633-4467 or (308) 633-4464.
We will provide additional information through official news outlets as necessary.
