Power outages sweeping through northern Minnesota from winds
Updated: 4:13 p.m.
Minnesota Power says they’re working to restore power after multiple outages were reported in areas ranging from Little Falls to Duluth Sunday.
Outages were first reported Pillager at around 9 a.m., with more in Little Falls and Pierz around 12:30 p.m.
By 2:30 p.m., Minnesota Power reported outages in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood, as well as in Nisswa.
“We’ve seen some downed trees due to the wind, and also a few downed power poles,” said Amy Rutledge, the utility’s director of corporate communications. “But it’s really the wind that’s causing the issues.”
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Rutledge told MPR News at 3:40 p.m. that the main feeder being locked out in the Lakeside neighborhood was the cause of the largest outage, affecting about 1,800 customers.
The utility reported 110 active outages affecting just under 5,400 customers in the two central Minnesota communities as of 12:50 p.m. By 3 p.m., the number of active outages was down to 59, affecting about 2,500 customers.
“We know this can be frustrating to our customers,” Rutledge said. “We’re working as quickly as we can to get the power back on.”
Find updates on the outages at Minnesota Power’s outage map website. Outages can be also be reported through mnpower.com or on the utility’s mobile app.