Wyoming Extreme Wind Weather Event

Event updates
 

🔺 March 13, 4:00 p.m. – Our crews are wrapping up power restoration efforts following severe winds in Cheyenne, Wyoming on Thursday and anticipate having full restoration completed by the end of the day today.  

Important notes for customers:

• If you remain without power, please report online at blackhillsenergy.com/outages or call us at 888-890-5554.
• Your power may be impacted by other factors. Please check your home for damage to your service mast and also check your breakers and fuses.  

Important information about your home’s service mast: 

Severe winds can damage a home’s service mast – a mast is on the outside of the home’s roof or meter and looks like a metal tube or pipe. The mast feeds electricity to the home from overhead power lines. Homeowners are encouraged to look at the mast – but do not touch, because it’s energized – and if it appears to be loose, bent, or damaged, contact a certified electrician to schedule a repair. Black Hills Energy cannot restore power to your home until these damages are repaired. Additional information can be found at blackhillsenergy.com/safety/electric-safety/electric-storm-safety-0. 

🔺 March 13, 9:00 a.m. – At daybreak this morning, our teams resumed their work to restore power to customers impacted by the severe winds that toppled trees and downed powerlines yesterday. Extra crews are also assisting in the effort. 

Teams will continue working across Cheyenne, Wyoming, throughout the day to replace broken power poles, string new lines and repair extensive damage to the system. As a safety precaution, if you see our crews working in your area, please drive slowly and give them extra room on the road.

Important safety reminders:

• The company urges caution around downed powerlines. Do not try to remove any debris if it is on a powerline or outdoor electrical equipment. If you see a downed powerline, stay away and call 911.
• Severe winds can damage a home’s service mast – a mast is on the outside of the home’s roof or meter and looks like a metal tube or pipe. The mast feeds electricity to the home from overhead power lines. Homeowners are encouraged to look at the mast – but do not touch, because it’s energized – and if it appears to be loose, bent or damaged, contact a certified electrician to schedule a repair. Additional information can be found at blackhillsenergy.com/safety/electric-safety/electric-storm-safety-0.  
   

How to stay informed:  

• For more outage details and updates please visit blackhillsenergy.com/extremewind-wy. 

   

🔺 March 13, 7:00 a.m. MST – Good morning, our crews are having their safety briefing and getting ready to head out to continue restoration to any remaining customers impacted by the extreme high winds. If you are experiencing an outage, please report it at blackhillsenergy.com/outages.

🔺March 12, 8:00 p.m. MST - This will be our last update tonight; we’ll provide more information tomorrow morning. Our crews are continuing to work into the evening to restore power to those impacted by today’s extreme wind event. Due to the extent of damage to the system, some outages may last overnight. Customers without power after 9 p.m. are encouraged to prepare to be without power overnight.

Restoration work will resume first thing tomorrow morning.  

Please keep these safety tips in mind:  

• Assume any downed power line is energized. Never touch or attempt to pick up a fallen line.  
• Do not open your refrigerator or freezer more than necessary. Undisturbed food will remain frozen in most freezers for 12 to 48 hours.  
• Use a generator safely, it needs to be in a well-ventilated area. Never operate it indoors or in your garage.  
• Check on family members, neighbors or others who may need assistance during extended outages.  

For more outage details and updates please visit blackhillsenergy.com/extremewind-wy. 

🔺March 12, 5:15 p.m. MST – Severe winds are expected to last through Saturday, we want to advise customers to prepare for possible power outages over the next two days. Today’s hurricane-force wind gusts resulted in uprooted trees, broken branches, and debris falling into power lines, leading to multiple outages across Cheyenne, Wyoming.      

Our crews are continuing to work in the area to respond to emergencies and repair damaged power poles and equipment so that power can be restored. Crews will work late into the evening to get the power back on to as many customers as possible. Due to the extent of the damage, some customers may remain without power overnight.  

Essentials to have:

• Flashlights or headlamps – Having a light source is crucial during power outages. Headlamps can be helpful because you can use them hands-free. Consider adding a battery-powered lantern, candles and waterproof matches as backups.
• Batteries – Stock up on extras for your flashlight and other battery-powered devices.
• Portable phone charger – A portable charger or power bank will keep your phone charged for communication and emergency alerts.
• Radio – A hand-crank or battery-powered radio helps you stay informed with weather updates and emergency alerts.

How to stay informed:  

• Sign up for alerts and keep your contact information up to date so we can provide safety and outage notifications. Visit blackhillsenergy.com/my-account.    
• For more information visit: blackhillsenergy.com/extremewind-wy  

We’ll continue to keep impacted customers informed by text messages, emails and phone calls. Visit blackhillsenergy.com/outages to view areas currently impacted.   

🔺March 12, 1:35 p.m. MST - We are responding to multiple power outages today due to extreme high winds in Cheyenne, Wyoming. We have deployed additional crews to support power restoration efforts and are responding to emergency situations. Customers are advised that estimated restoration times can change based on system damage due to downed tree limbs and debris.  

Stay safe:  

• Assume any downed power line is energized. Stay away and call 911.  
• Unplug sensitive computer and electronic equipment or protect them with a high-quality surge protector.  
• Leave a lamp or electric radio on so you know when service is restored.  
• Do not open your refrigerator or freezer more than necessary. Undisturbed food will remain frozen in most freezers for 12 to 48 hours.  

How to stay informed:  

• Sign up for alerts and keep your contact information up to date so we can provide safety and outage notifications. Visit blackhillsenergy.com/my-account.
• For more information visit: blackhillsenergy.com/extremewind-wy  

We’ll continue to keep impacted customers informed by text messages, emails and phone calls. Visit blackhillsenergy.com/outages to view areas currently impacted.  

Check for damage

Extreme winds may have caused damage to customer-owned equipment, including service masts, that need to be repaired before we can safely re-energize power. We encourage you to check around your home or business for damages, debris, loose or broken limbs, or downed trees that could cause damage to powerlines or electrical infrastructure if they fall.

What to do: 
✔ Check for damage to your service mast (look, don’t touch—it may be energized).
✔ Contact a certified electrician if repairs are needed.
✔ The electrician will coordinate with us and an inspector to restore service safely.
✔ Check breakers and fuses.
✔ Look for debris, broken limbs, or downed trees that could damage power lines.

If you receive a restoration notice but still have no power, report it online at blackhillsenergy.com/outages or call 888-890-5554. You may experience intermittent outages as crews work—please report any new outages online.

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Frequently asked questions

How can I see if my area is without power? 

You can check our online outage map for updates. The map shows affected areas and the number of customers impacted.

What should I do if I see a downed power line? 

Leave the area immediately and never touch the line or anything in contact with it (including trees, fences, or water). Call 911 immediately and then report it to Black Hills Energy at 888-890-5554.

Is it safe to clear debris near power lines? 

No. Never attempt to clear debris that is touching or near a power line. Wait for crews to handle it. If you see debris on or near electrical equipment, report it to Black Hills Energy.

Do I need to call an electrician?  

Severe winds can damage a home’s service mast – a mast is on the outside of the home’s roof or meter and looks like a metal tube or pipe. The mast feeds electricity to the home from overhead power lines. Homeowners are encouraged to look at the mast – but do not touch, because it’s energized – and if it appears to be loose, bent, or damaged, contact a certified electrician to schedule a repair. Additional information can be found by going to our electric storm safety page.

How can I keep my family safe during an outage?

• Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce fire risk.
• Keep generators outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Avoid opening refrigerators and freezers to keep food cold longer.
• Stay away from damaged poles, wires and electrical equipment.

Who should I contact for an emergency? 

If you see a dangerous situation like a downed power line, call 911 first, then report it to Black Hills Energy at 888-890-5554.