8:15 p.m.
the number of outages has fallen below the 20,000 mark. At this time approximately 19,000 customers are without power. Crews and personnel will work through the night on restoration.
For answers to frequently asked outage questions, visit oppd.com.
4:15 p.m.
OPPD crews and mutual aid partners have made good progress again today. At this time, approximately 23,000 customers are without power.
- As of 2:20 p.m., OPPD had restored power to 166,000 customers from a peak of 188,000. We believe we will approach 92% restoration by 11:59 p.m.
- Yesterday, we expected to have 20,000 customers were left to restore. We’re now looking at 15,000 by the end of the day.
We are now entering restoration to those with the most complex situations, with significant tree damage, meter socket damage and other repairs. This last stretch of restoration is the hardest, and undoubtedly the hardest for those customers who fall into this group. Below are two examples of what crews are dealing with.
What we are finding is that these are not 1 to 2-hour restoration jobs. These are often 4 to 5-hour restoration jobs. And they restore power to a fewer number of customers than earlier restoration efforts immediately following this storm.
We’re continuing to see significantly more individual customer electrical equipment damage than from past storms. The weather and tree limbs have caused damage that may have torn meter infrastructure from customers’ homes or property. This damage may require an outside electrician to complete work before service can be reconnected.
We’ve been listening to what customers with potential extensive damage are saying they might need, and we’re taking an even more deliberate, analytical approach to this group so we can provide a targeted path forward.
Some of the incidents we’re seeing are single customers indicating their power is out or that they see wires down. This morning, we had personnel confirm in the field whether customers were still without power, and we’ve also enlisted office team members to call single customer outages to follow up with them.
We’ve heard that some customers don’t understand how they may be the single house in their area without power. The reasons behind this could be related to electrical equipment damage at their house, or something else like loose wires or disconnected house service wires. That’s why we want our folks in the field to help customers safely assess just that.
Ultimately, we want to make sure we:
- Confirm that customers are still without power
- Determine if customers can visibly see damage to their meter assembly
- Help provide customers electrician information or even assign a special wires down crew to help them further investigate next steps.
With this approach, we will be better able to discuss a more precise restoration date with these customers.
OPPD understands this information is helpful, but might not answer all customers’ specific questions about restoration times. We are learning from this event and how we can update our technology and systems to better obtain information customers want and need sooner. We don’t have the level of detail you may want right now, but we are committed to always sharing with you the information we do have.
You can find more information and answers to frequently asked questions on oppd.com.
12 p.m.
Outage numbers continue a steady decline, now numbering approximately 24,000 customers without power, down from a peak of 188,000 on Saturday.
What’s new: We understand how difficult a prolonged outage can be, and that some customers may have extensive damage to homes and property. OPPD has suspended disconnects for non payment through July 26. This aligns with the recent decision by Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.).
The complex work continues, and is now moving to back yards and individual customers. From our assessments, we’re seeing far more individual customer electrical equipment damage than from past storms. The weather and tree limbs have caused damage that may have torn meter infrastructure from customers’ homes or property. This damage may require an outside electrician to complete work before service can be reconnected.
This graphic shows where responsibility lies for a house electrical service.
9:45 a.m.
The ranks of people working to restore power continues to grow, now numbering more than 800. This number includes OPPD crews, mutual aid crews and tree-trimming crews. At this time, the outage number is approximately 26,000 customers.
We know how frustrating and inconvenient a prolonged power outage can be, and we understand customers are eager to be restored. We have continuing 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.
The crews are also very appreciative of the notes customers are leaving on their truck windows, posting on poles, and other acts of kindness.
Tuesday, July 13, 2021, 6:15 a.m.
OPPD crews saw more progress overnight, with outages now at approximately 27,000.
Now, the work moves into back yards and individual outages, which is more complicated. In some locations, cleanup and repairs are taking more than 10 hours. We know this is a frustrating situation for customers. Here’s where we’re at:
- Our goal for today is to approach 99% restoration by 11:59 p.m.
- Beginning today, the number of tree crews who have answered the mutual aid call has doubled from 55 to 111. They will hit the streets first thing this morning.
- Monday 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.
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.
Please note, the outage map on Storm & Outage is undergoing a technical update.
