WPS says crews working around the clock as Winter Storm Cora knocks out power to thousands
(WLUK) -- While more than 30,000 Wisconsin Public Service customers have had their power restored since Tuesday afternoon, the utility says new outages continue to be reported as heavy, wet snow and high winds from Winter Storm Cora wreak havoc on Northeast Wisconsin.
WPS says crews are finding substantial damage, including more than 800 reports of problems with utility poles, downed power lines and trees falling into electric equipment. They are also having to travel on snow-covered and slippery roads as they make their way to scenes.
WPS adds it's been difficult to restore power, as new outages were reported Wednesday.
"We've had new outages that had continued to come in during the morning hours today as our crews have been working to repair the outages that we've had from yesterday afternoon, yesterday evening, so that has impacted our overall restoration efforts," said Matt Cullen, WPS spokesperson.
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With resources spread thin across Northeast Wisconsin, WPS called in additional help.
"We also have brought in additional outside crews, additional contract crews, to assist us with making those repairs in areas that have been heavily been impacted by this storm," said Cullen.
Many people, like Marianne Oates of Ashwaubenon, were in the dark for quite some time.
Her power was knocked out around six on Tuesday evening. She did her best to remain patient.
"You just live with it, you know I know that the crews are working as hard as they can and there's a lot of trees gone down and there's nothing you can do about it, nature is what it is," said Oates.
WPS warns that people should stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines. Report downed lines to local law enforcement officials or the local utility.
WPS says all available crews, including additional outside crews, are working around the clock to make repairs and restore power.
As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, WPS was reporting more than 79,000 customers without power, including more than 19,000 each in Marinette and Brown counties and 13,000 in Door County.
We Energies reported more than 37,000 customers without power, including more than 12,000 in Outagamie County.