Power Outage in Powers Lake, ND

Multiple locations lost power as a result of frost accumulating on power lines due to the multi-day dense fog event, with some locations losing power for more than a day. Multiple lines were downed as conductors broke, or snapped. Approximately 30 poles and multiple cross-arms were broken due to the additional weight of the frost on power lines. 26 additional workers were brought in by the local electrical co-op to assist with the damage.

Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.

Powers Lake received 13 inches of snow.

A camper was blown over four miles west of Powers Lake on Highway 50.

Up to seven inches of heavy wet snow combined with winds gusting to near 70 mph to result in widespread blizzard conditions. Travel was impossible due to many roads blocked by snow, along with icy road conditions which resulted from a period of freezing rain which preceeded the snow. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down, leading to a prolonged period of power outages across the county. One of the adverse effects caused by the storm and disruption in power included calve losses.

Wind gusts up to around 45 mph combined with falling snow and existing loose snow cover to create widespread blizzard conditions across Burke County. The strong winds and blizzard conditions resulted in additional downed power lines and delayed the repair of existing downed power lines.

A wintry mix of freezing rain and snow spread north across the local area. Precipitation quickly changed over to all snow, with up to four inches of accumulations reported by early Saturday morning. Hazardous travel conditions and scattered power outages resulted.

A prolonged period of freezing fog along with periods of freezing drizzle resulted in moderate to heavy ice accumulations on power lines. This caused several overhead power lines and power poles to snap, resulting in scattered power outages across the county.

Power lines and small trees were downed due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts. Several empty oil storage tanks were also damaged. Power was out to the local area near Northgate. Three tornadoes also touched down in Burke County this day. See the entries for those three tornadoes as well.

Trees and tree branches were broken. Some trees fell onto electric power lines in Bottineau and McHenry counties and power was out for a time. Minor roof damage to homes in Rolette County. Highest sustained wind speed was at the Minot Air Force Base with 40 mph. Highest gust was 68 mph at Rugby. Both speeds were measured.