A severe storm event continues to leave more than 3000 SaskPower customers in the dark.
SaskPower has been working round the clock to fix an unprecedented number of power lines after the lines were downed during a storm that impacted the southwest corner of the province.
3400 customers are still without power in the Maple Creek area – with the hope that the power will be restored around 6pm tonight. 11 crews are working to replace 15 downed poles.
Additionally hundreds in surrounding communities may be facing another night without power as crews are facing road closures, and inclement weather hampering the repair efforts. 43 broken cross arms and numerous poles need to be replaced in the region.
Just south of Maple Creek farm customers and the area of Cypress Hills provincial park – close to 800 customers will remain without power over night.
SaskPower spokesperson Joel Cherry says that efforts to bring generators to communities where service is still being restored is being coordinated with the province.
“In some cases generators are being deployed to ensure people have access to services if required. We appreciate the patience of customers as we undertake this work. This was an extreme weather event that caused significant damage to our system and we are working to repair the damage as quickly as possible while still ensuring the safety of our workers.”
Stay tuned for continued updates on the situation as it unfolds by visiting www.SaskPower.ca
*UPDATE*
Wet, muddy conditions continue to affect the work possible for crews to accomplish. The new ETA for restoration of power to Maple Creek is 10 pm, with SaskPower expecting close to 2000 residents to remain without power overnight.