Expecting additional mutual aid crews

PANHANDLE -- Wheat Belt Public Power District workers are in another day of restoring electric service in western Nebraska.

"Today, our crews were able to set about 70 poles. We're about at 750 poles that were reported down," said General Manager Lacey Gulbranson.

At about 6:30 a.m. today, Wheat Belt officials reported more material arrived, and additional crews are expected by week's end. Currently, there are six mutual aid crews from four agencies: Dawson Public Power District (two crews), Midwest Electric, McCook Public Power District and Premier Power (contracting crew).

 Wheat Belt has its Area 1 crews working south of Sidney, but officials say they do not have the manpower or materials to work that area yet. When restoring power in storm situation such as these, the main focus is to get all transmission, and main distribution lines first, according to a Wheat Belt statement.

Gulbranson said progress on storm recovery is getting done.

"We're making some progress overall. We've set about 220 poles of the 750. We still have, unfortunately, about 230 residential customers without power. Those, at this point in time, are our priority. We'll be getting those on as soon as we can," she said.

Pole damage is still extensive, according to Wheat Belt. The crews will be "delivering" today and Friday 150 poles west of Dalton, 80 poles to the Broadwater area, 70 poles to the Redington area and 65 poles south of Sidney.