Power outages reported in Chisago County

One due to fallen tree, another to car crash

Sections of Chisago County were without power on Tuesday night, Sept. 23, 2008.
The outage in North Branch lasted about three hours.
A dead tree toppled onto a 69,000-volt transmission line along County Road 30 between Main and Maple Streets at about 4:45 p.m. when a storm roared through the city. Winds reached speeds of 60 miles per hour.
The transmission line belongs to the United Power Association, noted North Branch Water and Light Superintendent Russ Good. UPA asked the city not to turn on its generator for fear of backfeed, Good noted. If it hadn't been for this request, the city would have had power back up within 15 minutes. As it is, the fear was unfounded, said Good, and he intends to speak to UPA representatives so the same situation doesn't occur in the future.
Good also plans to approach the city's public works department to remove the remaining dead trees in that location.
The dead tree was removed Tuesday night by East Central Energy crews, and power in most of the city was back up by 7:30 p.m.
Isolated spots were without power longer due to downed branches on lines.
"It was a demonstration of what happens at the municipal level. We were right here and able to restore the power right away," said Good.
SOUTHERN OUTAGE
Power was also out in the southern portion of the county from Wyoming/Stacy to Center City later that evening.
A vehicle struck a power pole along Highway 61 just south of 245th Street in Wyoming at 10:24 p.m.
According to the Chisago County Sheriff's Department, an unmarked Ramsey County squad car responded to the scene. It was northbound when it hit the support cables in the roadway and was rolled onto its side by the force. The deputy was not injured.
Excel Energy had the power restored by 12:30 a.m.