9:30 p.m.
Outages have dropped below 30,000 this evening to approximately 28,600 customers without power. Please read below on our 4 p.m update for more details about our restoration goals.
OPPD and mutual aid crews will work through the night on remaining outages. Approximately 700 people are “boots on the ground” in this event, the largest restoration effort in OPPD history.
6:45 p.m.
The outage map on Storm & Outage is currently undergoing an unexpected technical update. The numbers may appear to not be dropping, but restoration continues into the night and we are working behind the scenes to get the map operational as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.
4 p.m.
As OPPD nears another 24 hours of restoration, we will continue to provide updates on our efforts and our challenges. Here’s where we’re at:
- OPPD made steady progress today. As of 3:15 p.m., more than 150,000 customers’ power has been restored from a peak of 188,000.
- As of 3:15 p.m., approximately 31,000 customers are still without power. We know this is a frustrating situation for these customers.
- We are at about 85% restoration right now. The goal we released yesterday was to have 95% restoration by 11:59 p.m. tonight. With a better idea of what remaining challenges look like, we believe we will hit about 90% restoration by that time.
- Our goal for tomorrow, Tuesday, is to approach 99% restoration by 11:59 p.m.
- This afternoon, we sent an email and/or automated call to 10,000 customers to let them know they should expect power to be restored yet tonight. We will also send an email and/or automated call to 21,000 customer for them to not expect power to be restored tonight. Within that group of 21,000, we will be communicating with just under 2,000 customers who we believe have significant damage that will take the longest to repair.
- Here is why that last 1% could take longer: From our assessments, crews are seeing far more individual customer electrical equipment damage than from past storms. The severe weather and tree limbs have caused damage that may have torn meter infrastructure from customers’ homes or property.
The work ahead remains complex, but we are amassing an army to address outages. There are currently nearly 700 people working nonstop to restore power. Around the clock, 24 hours a day. We are expecting to add an additional 30 more when more tree crews arrive later today and tomorrow.
It can be encouraging to see a crew in your neighborhood and you may want to speak with them. Please refrain from doing so. They are likely very focused on restoration work or working within their vehicles.
2:30 p.m.
Progress continues Monday. Outage numbers now number approximately 30,000 as work continues.
We know how difficult it is for customers to deal with a prolonged power outage and we are working as quickly and safely as possible to complete restoration.
As the weather warms this week, the American Red Cross recently announced they are opening a cooling center today, Monday, July 12, from 12 to 6 p.m. at 2912 S. 80th Ave. in Omaha. Those without power are welcome to come to the site, cool off and charge devices. Those who need medical devices should bring them with them. The center will most likely be open into the week.
1 p.m.
As afternoon comes, OPPD crews and mutual aid partners continue to make steady progress. At this time, approximately 33,000 customers are without power, down from a peak of 188,000 early Saturday morning.
The speed of restoration is impacted by the widespread, extensive damage to trees across the metro area.
11:30 a.m.
Outage numbers are continuing to fall this morning, now numbering approximately 36,000 customers.
Reports from the field indicate extensive, widespread damage to home electrical services. These types of repairs involve coordination between OPPD, customers and third-party electricians. If this is the situation at your home – if the meter has been pulled from the house, or the service line has been disconnected from a fallen tree – please see the graphic below for information about who is responsible for repairs.
OPPD is working with its community partners to help those who will experience the most prolonged outages. More information to come today on how you can get help.
Please know we are sorry for the outages, but know we are working around the clock to restore power safely to all customers.
Monday, July 12, 2021 10:15 a.m.
OPPD is proud and grateful that we continue to make safe, steady progress overnight and moving forward this morning to restore power to 39,000 customers without power following Saturday’s hurricane-force winds and thunderstorm. At its peak, the storm resulted in 188,000 outages.
We know how frustrating and inconvenient a prolonged power outage can be, and we understand customers are eager to be restored. We have had reports that some are approaching or flagging down our workers in the field. We understand why they would want to reach out, but we ask customers to please keep their distance. This is for everyone’s safety – our crews and customers alike. The crews need to focus on the dangerous and important work of restoring power. To do this, they must maintain 100% focus, for their safety and the safety of everyone in the area.
By resisting the urge to engage with our crews, you can help us get this work done as quickly and safely as possible.
Customers may also see workers in their trucks or standing by – it may not look like they are actively working, but please know that they ARE. There are tasks that involve awaiting electrification or testing power quality that are not as visible as a worker in a bucket truck. But this is ALL part of the restoration process.
We also want to stress the importance of safety around downed power lines and tree debris. ASSUME ALL POWER LINES ARE ENERGIZED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Stay far back. If you haven’t already done so, call OPPD at 1-800-554-6773 to report the hazard, or call 911.
