MADRAS, OR -- A major power outage impacted much of Jefferson County, Thursday morning, during sub-freezing temperatures. Electricity first went between Crooked River Ranch and Warm Springs at about 7:45 a.m., impacting about 10,000 Pacific Power customers.

The utility says power was restored to about 4,000 customers in Culver, Crooked River Ranch and Terrebonne at around 10:30 a.m. But Madras, Metolius and Warm Springs remained without service at 11 a.m. 

Unconfirmed reports suggest a power switch in Crooked River Ranch, which supplies power to the area north of the switch, went out. Power is reportedly expected to be restored no later than 1:30 p.m. 

UPDATE: Pacific Power says the problem began when a fault occurred with a transmission connection from an energy supplier that feeds into the Culver substation. 

UPDATE: Power was restored to Madras at about noon.