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Mountain Home News

Downed tree triggers large-scale power outage

Friday, July 24, 2015

A downed tree triggered a short but wide-spread power outage Wednesday morning that cut electrical service to nearly 2,900 homes and businesses in Mountain Home.

The outage began at 10:27 a.m. after a large tree fell onto a power line in the vicinity of Hamilton Road and Old Highway 30, according to Idaho Power spokesman Kevin Winslow.

Traffic signals along American Legion Boulevard were also without power with drivers treating these intersections at four-way stops until crews from Idaho Power restored serve at 10:52 a.m.

According to Winslow, an electrical feeder in that area was experiencing weather-related issues due to a thunderstorm Tuesday evening that produced lightning and high winds. It wasn't immediately known whether the tree was weakened as a result of the storm.

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  • Idaho Power works hard to get our power restored- I thank them for that. Although today when the power was out, I watched an Idaho Power truck blow right through the stop lights without stopping to check for traffic. While they are awesome at fixing our power---risking someones life by breaking the driving laws is NOT ACCEPTABLE!! To top it off one of Mtn Home PD was stopped at one of the lights waiting his turn and saw it and did nothing but throw his hands up out the window at the guy. Seriously--Idaho Power is not above the law!! Had it been anyone else they for sure would of been pulled over and received a ticket. WHERE IS EQUALITY???

    Again I think Idaho Power does a great job, BUT they must still fall the LAW, and Mtn Home PD does a great job too-- but EQUALITY folks.

    -- Posted by another resident on Wed, Jul 22, 2015, at 3:51 PM

  • Dear concerned citizen,

    I'd like to thank you for bringing this matter to my attention, and also for your kind words regarding my crews' efforts to restore power.

    You are entirely correct: The light at the intersection of Third and Air Base Road was not functioning, and the employee in question should have treated it as a four-way stop. You'll be pleased to know that I already have met with the employee -- as well as my entire team -- and discussed the importance of obeying all traffic laws without exception. I've also met with the Mountain Home Police Department to get the facts, detail my follow-up actions with my employees, and reaffirm our commitment to working with the department and maintaining a good partnership.

    Please know that the stickers on our trucks that read "Safety is a Value" represent more than just a decal. Safety is one of our company's core values; it's in our culture and a critical part of our employees' day-to-day duties. I have reinforced with my team that they are expected by me, the company, and the public to strictly adhere to all rules and laws. The employee in question has admitted he was in the wrong and, going forward, will focus on the importance of meeting our company's safety expectations.

    Idaho Power is proud to have served the communities of Idaho and Oregon for nearly a century. We are your neighbors, and we endeavor to be good neighbors. Again, thank you for bringing this to my attention. It has resulted in a good coaching opportunity for my team.

    Vance Poe

    Line Crew Foreman

    Mountain Home Operations Center

    -- Posted by IdahoPower on Fri, Jul 24, 2015, at 4:26 PM
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