GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Restoration efforts are happening around the clock in Northeast Wisconsin.
Power outages followed suit after a one-two punch of intense storms that moved through the area Friday night and Saturday morning.
We Energies says the Fox Valley is the area most affected by power outages, with some electrical infrastructure needing to be rebuilt. Meanwhile, the Oconto Electric Cooperative says areas north of Hwy. 64 near White Potato and Shay lakes could be dark for as long as four days.
Matt Cullen, a spokesman for both WPS and We Energies, says the priority is addressing downed power lines that are still electrified. Those who have downed power lines with electrical arcing or fires should report them immediately to their power company or local law enforcement. Stay at least 25 feet away from any downed power line.
Law enforcement agencies have asked people not to call 911 to report power outages, however. Those can be reported directly to the utilities.
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Cullen says the strength of the storm broke power poles and brought down or destroyed trees.
Crews have been called in from outside the area to help rebuild the infrastructure and restore power.
Meanwhile, Cullen also warns that some natural gas equipment may have been damaged. Anyone who sees that type of damage should leave the area immediately and report it to the utility or local law enforcement.
Also, generators should be run outdoors in well-ventilated areas.
In Appleton, the city’s spokesman says Appleton will hold a special city-wide storm debris cleanup collection but with details pending.
