Cheyenne, Wyoming

 Monday, March 15, 2021

8:30 p.m. - Black Hills Energy's linemen have restored service to customers, with the exception of about 10 meters. We greatly appreciate the community’s support and patience throughout our restoration efforts.

2:00 p.m. - Our linemen have been able to make equipment repairs and restore several electrical circuits returning power to all but about 100 customers. Hazardous road conditions continue to slow progress. However, we would like to thank the generous individuals in the Cheyenne area, who’ve been willing to provide snowmobile transportation for our workers today. We greatly appreciate your assistance in helping our restoration efforts. Remaining outage work is still in progress.

12:15 p.m. - We’re currently in the process of restoring several circuits. Our crews will make every effort to restore electric service in both the city and rural areas for customers who’ve been affected by outages.

9:00 a.m. - Our gas and electric crews will be out in the community today continuing restoration efforts following extreme winter storm Xylia.  

Hazardous road conditions remain the biggest obstacle for our employees. In order to proactively address those challenges, we are currently working to partner with a heavy equipment company with loaders and snowmobiles. Black Hills Energy crews will make every effort to restore electric service in both the city and rural areas for customers who’ve been affected by outages and will make efforts to answer gas calls today. 
 

 Sunday, March 14, 2021

10:30 p.m. - Crews have been working diligently today and in collaboration with city and state officials to safely restore power to customers.

Progress has been made throughout the day and this evening, however, snow and wind associated with winter storm Xylia have combined to create extremely hazardous conditions on local and rural roads slowing our efforts. Beginning early tomorrow morning, when it is safe to do so, Black Hills Energy’s electric crews will continue to make every effort to restore power in the Cheyenne community and surrounding rural areas.

Natural gas customers - 

The extreme winter weather conditions in Wyoming are making it very difficult for Black Hills Energy gas crews to respond to emergency calls.  

• If you smell gas or believe you have a gas leak, immediately leave the premises (perhaps going to a neighbor’s home).
• Then, call 911 and remain away from the premises until the situation is resolved.  
• With impassable roadways in many areas, Black Hills Energy crews will respond when possible, but it may not be immediately.

It is also important to make certain your gas meters are not snow covered. Snow and ice buildup on your natural gas meter can create a safety hazard and even cut off the flow of natural gas to your heating equipment and other appliances. To avoid trouble, gently remove snow and ice from on and around the meter with your hands or a broom. 

Gas meters and regulators are durable and designed with the weather in mind, but a coating of ice or snow could cause a loss of service and become a critical safety issue. When possible, remove the snow before it has a chance to freeze.

• Gently clear snow away by hand or with a broom. Do not use a shovel, ice pick or other sharp tools, damage could result and make the situation worse. 
• Keep snow blowers and shovels away from gas meters and other above-ground equipment.
• Carefully clear snow away from the outdoor vent on high-efficiency furnaces. The furnace won’t run safely and efficiently if the vent is blocked. 
• Safely remove ice buildup from overhead eaves that could fall and damage gas meters below.
• Point out the meter and any other above-ground utility structures to anyone you hire for snow removal.  
   

5:15 p.m. - Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore service in blizzard conditions. In the meantime, we remind customers snow and ice buildup on your natural gas meter can create a safety hazard and even cut off the flow of natural gas to your heating equipment and other appliances. To avoid trouble, gently remove snow and ice from on and around the meter with your hands or a broom. For more safety tips visit blackhillsenergy.com/safety

4:15 p.m. - It is easy to overlook the gas meter when you are removing snow around your home. Taking an extra few minutes to check the meter and outdoor vent are well worth your time.

• Gently clear snow away by hand or with a broom. Do not use a shovel, ice pick or other sharp tools, damage could result and make the situation worse.
• Keep snow blowers and shovels away from gas meters and other above-ground equipment.
• Carefully clear snow away from the outdoor vent on high-efficiency furnaces. The furnace won’t run safely and efficiently if the vent is blocked.
• Safely remove ice buildup from overhead eaves that could fall and damage gas meters below.
• Point out the meter and any other above-ground utility structures to anyone you hire for snow removal.

2:40 p.m. - Hazardous road conditions are currently creating challenges for our crews as they work to make repairs and restore service.

12:50 p.m. - We're experiencing multiple electrical outages in Cheyenne, due to blizzard conditions caused by winter storm Xylia. As of 12:30 p.m., approximately 4000 customers in north Cheyenne and rural areas west of Cheyenne have been affected.

Stay safe. Stay connected. If the power goes out, report it online or call 888-890-5554. 

Safety Reminders

• While playing or working in the snow, keep an eye out for downed power lines. Never touch or attempt to pick up a fallen power line and keep children and pets away.
• Snow and ice buildup on your home’s natural gas meter can create a safety hazard and even cut off the flow of natural gas to your heating equipment and other appliances. To avoid trouble, gently remove snow and ice from on and around the meter with your hands or a broom.
• If you suspect an indoor natural gas leak, get out immediately. Call 911, then call Black Hills Energy at 888-890-5554. Wait for Black Hills Energy or emergency personnel to arrive before re-entering the building. Emergency personnel will let you know when it’s safe to return. Do not touch switches or electronics and leave windows and doors as is. Do not turn on lights, ignite a flame, use a cell phone or use anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator.
• Ensure your home is equipped with carbon monoxide detectors.

11:15 a.m. - 3,504 customers in the North and West rural areas of Cheyenne have been affected. All Cheyenne electric crews are currently dispatched and are patrolling and working to restore service in these areas.

“Hazardous road conditions are currently creating challenges for our crews as they work to make repairs and restore service,” said Dustin McKen, Director of Operations for Black Hills Energy Wyoming. “We will continue our restoration efforts and keep our customers informed through text messages and continual updates to our website and social media channels.”

11:15 a.m. - Black Hills Energy’s Electrical Crews Working to Restore Power Outages Caused by Winter Storm Xylia 

7:50 a.m. - We are experiencing multiple electrical outages in Cheyenne, due to blizzard conditions. At this time, 1,765 customers in the north and west rural areas of Cheyenne are affected. 

All Cheyenne electric crews are currently dispatched, and are patrolling and working to restore service.

For additional weather information and warnings in effect, visit weather.gov. To stay updated on the latest information, follow Black Hills Energy on Facebook and Twitter and also these local partner agencies:

1. Wyoming Department of transportation
2. Laramie County Emergency Management
3. Cheyenne Police Department
4. Laramie County Sheriff Department

If you're experiencing an outage, you can report the power outage online or call 888-890-5554.

report an outage