For immediate release:
1:45 p.m. – Thursday, January 17, 2020
High winds are causing widespread scattered power outages to San Isabel Electric members in Huerfano County along and south of Highway 160 as well as Navajo Ranch. The outage is affecting approximately 2,200 meters as of the time of this press release.
There were approximately 150 meters out in Pueblo County along Highway 165. That outage was restored around 1:30 p.m.
The wind-related outages began shortly after 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 17.
Currently we have reports of three poles down and in one area, roof debris collided with a meter, causing a small fire. We expect the number of damage reports and outages to continue to increase until weather conditions improve.
All available San Isabel Electric Lineworkers are working on the outage and additional resources are on standby if conditions worsen.
San Isabel Electric has notified Huerfano County and Pueblo County emergency management and are working closely with them to keep the public safe and informed.
We will not be able to provide an estimated time of restoration until wind conditions improve and Lineworkers have inspected the area to ensure all damage has been identified.
Once all damage has been identified, we will be able to determine the work involved to make repairs and have a better idea of when power may be safely restored.
Outage status updates will be posted every two hours at siea.com between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Members can report outages using San Isabel Electric’s mobile and online account management app SmartHub.
SmartHub can be used to:
- Report power outages with a computer, tablet or smart phone.
- View our outage map.
- Track an outage’s status until power is restored.
Outages can also be reported by calling 1-800-279-7432. More information about outage reporting and preparedness is available at siea.com/safety.
San Isabel Electric’s outage restoration policy is to make repairs that will restore service to the most people in the least amount of time. Transmission lines and substations are repaired first, followed by distribution lines that feed neighborhoods. Tap lines and individual service lines are then repaired to restore power to customers who may still be without electricity.
In the event of a prolonged outage, members who are expected to be without power overnight will receive an automated phone call from San Isabel Electric, as soon as possible.
A press release will also be issued when power is restored, or when the outage is affecting less than 2,000 meters. The release will be posted at siea.com/news and on the co-op’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
If the outage continues to affect more than 2,000 meters for more than 24 hours, an updated news release will be issued each consecutive day at 10 a.m. and posted in the same places listed above.
San Isabel Electric is a cooperative utility, owned by a group of member-owners, that together provide electricity in remote, rural areas where larger, investor-owned utilities don’t find it profitable enough to serve.
A large portion of the electric cooperative’s lines and equipment are in remote-rural areas and/or are in rugged-terrain, not accessible by roads or vehicles. These areas are difficult to access during good weather and even more difficult to access during inclement weather. Lineworkers often face arduous weather and road conditions making their job very difficult and dangerous.
From our office staff to those out in the field, we appreciate your patience as we work to restore power as quickly as safely possible for everyone involved.
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As a not-for-profit cooperative utility, San Isabel Electric provides affordable, reliable electricity with exceptional service to communities throughout southern Colorado. Serving nearly 20,000 Member-owners and 24,000 meters, San Isabel Electric has been keeping the lights on since 1938. We don’t just serve communities. We are part of communities.
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