A POWER OUTAGE THIS MORNING IMPACTED ABOUT 5 THOUSAND CUSTOMERS IN THE NORTHWEST BEND AREA -

 

SEVERAL TRAFFIC LIGHTS WERE SHUT DOWN- AND MOST BEND F-M RADIO STATIONS WERE KNOCKED OFF THE AIR.

 

TOM GAUNT WITH PACIFIC POWER EXPLAINS WHAT HAPPENED:

 

 "UNFORTUNATELY A SQUIRREL GOT INTO THE SUB-STATION NEAR MIRROR POND DAM- RESULTED IN A FLASH AND A LOUD NOISE-AND POWER OUTAGE FOR ABOUT 5100 CUSTOMERS."

 

THE OUTAGE HIT AROUND 8A AND ONLY LASTED ABOUT 45 MINUTES FOR MOST CUSTOMERS.

SINCE POWER OUTAGES ARE PRETTY COMMON -GAUNT REMINDS YOU TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY KIT AT YOUR HOME AND KEEP YOUR CELL PHONE FULLY CHARGED SO YOU CAN USE IT IN AN EMERGENCY OUTAGE.