Electric service restored to 500

Central Electric Cooperative of Mitchell is estimating electric service was restored to approximately 500 members Thursday, according to a news release.

Power restoration efforts were hampered by new outages caused by power lines shedding the ice created from several days of fog and freezing mist.

The primary areas affected are located near the communities of Mitchell, Ethan, Letcher, Stickney, Plankinton, White Lake, Storla, and Wessington Springs.

“As long as the ice accumulation continues to hang on the power lines, we will have increased potential for more power outages," said Operation Manager Brian Bultje. “Our crews will restore electric service to a section of line, only to have it go out again when more ice falls from the overhead conductor. Hopefully a significant amount of ice will come off the lines today and we will have better progress in our restoration efforts.”

Additional linemen and equipment have arrived from Sioux Valley Energy of Coleman, Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative of Milbank, West Central Electric Cooperative of Murdo, Cherry Todd Electric Cooperative of Mission and LaCreek Electric Cooperative of Martin.

Central Electric is urging the public to stay away from ice-covered power lines. Call 996-7516 or 800-477-2892 to report a downed power line or a power outage.

Central Electric Cooperative is a member-owned Touchstone Energy Cooperative. The cooperative serves rural members in eight counties with offices in Mitchell, Plankinton, Kimball, Wessington Springs and Howard.

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