BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC OUTAGE UPDATE

  

For the second time in four weeks, Bluebonnet’s service area was slammed by strong storms and heavy rains that caused major, widespread power outages. Some of those did – and could – last up to 48 hours. Both storms caused significant damage to the co-op’s electric grid and peaked with more than 10,000 members without power at one time. Though the scale and scope were similar, the two storms also presented significantly different challenges for crews restoring power.
“The April 30 storm’s damage was caused by winds up to 70 mph knocking down trees and snapping power poles, cross arms and power lines,” said Mark Rose, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “We had to remove trees and limbs, untangle a lot of wire and replace a lot of broken poles a month ago. Those are labor-intensive, time-consuming repairs. But the storms moved through so rapidly that we had great weather in which to work.
“Not so this week,” Rose said. “This storm brought record-setting rainfall across much of our system and a constant barrage of lightning strikes, which wreaks havoc on power poles and electrical equipment. And the storms lingered over our service area for hours. We are replacing many more insulators, transformers and fuses than the previous storm. Those repairs require a lot of climbing or using bucket trucks to lift heavy equipment.”
The severe flooding and dozens of road closures that accompanied Friday’s storm slowed or stopped power restoration efforts in many areas. Many of Bluebonnet’s crews were stranded for hours in areas, unable to navigate around swollen creeks and flooded roads, especially in eastern Washington County. More rain today and tonight could lead to new outages or longer restoration times.
Despite the two storms’ differences, the result for Bluebonnet’s members, employees and contractors is the same – prolonged power outages.
“We know how frustrating it is to be out of power for any length of time,” Rose said. “To be out of power for 12 to 48 hours twice in one month is almost unheard of. That’s why we are again working nonstop to get our members’ power back on. And it’s why we greatly appreciate their patience and understanding.”
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 89,000 meters and owns and maintains 11,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.

Bluebonnet Electric Outage Map