Planned power outage announced for windstorm repair

In order to safely repair equipment that was damaged during the recent windstorm, Flathead Electric Cooperative has scheduled a two-hour power outage along a stretch of its service territory Thursday, Jan. 21.

The areas affected are east of Marion to Batavia, Ashley Lake Road, Rogers Lake, Jackson Meadows, the south end of Browns Meadow, Sherman Lane, Managhan, Marquardt, Boorman and Dawson Trail. The outage, which will impact approximately 1,000 members, will begin at 10 a.m. with anticipated completion by noon. Attempts are being made to notify those affected in advance.

Although power was restored to Co-op members following the windstorm, another facet of the Co-op's work has just begun, Flathead Electric said in a press release.

"Weather damage of this magnitude can leave many residual effects on the system," the cooperative noted. "Cleaning up downed trees and debris and monitoring for damage to electrical equipment is an extensive process. And as in this case, sometimes the Co-op has to deliberately interrupt service to safely make repairs and prevent further larger outages."