RAPID CITY, SD — Sunday, July 12, 2020 – Black Hills Energy operation employees, electric utility contractors and tree service companies spent the weekend restoring power for about 821 customers in the Terry Peak, Spearfish Canyon, and Tinton area. Customers experienced power outages from the heavy storm that struck on July 10, around 4:30 pm throughout the northern Black Hills region. Black Hills Energy responded immediately to restore power through the weekend. Black Hills Energy crews and utility contractors repaired damaged power poles including down powerlines in the Terry Peak, Spearfish Canyon, and Tinton area due to down trees caused by the extreme severe weather and high winds that swept through the northern Black Hills area. Black Hills Energy crews began repairing the damaged poles and power lines on Friday until midnight and then continued restoration efforts all day Saturday and Sunday. Power restoration is estimated for completion on Monday as there are about 50 customers without power in Spearfish Canyon, Terry Peak and Tinton area.

Severe summer storms with high winds may cause down trees, down power lines and damaged rooftops which can create damage to the electric service mast that is connected to the home. A service mast is on the outside of a home’s roof or at the meter and looks like a metal tube or pipe. The service mast feeds power from the overhead lines to a home. The property owner owns the service mast is responsible for maintaining the service mast in good working condition.

To make sure power is flowing to your home you may want to inspect the service mast, but do not touch it. The service mast remains energized even if power is not flowing into the home or building. If the mast looks loose, bent or damaged, a property owner must contact a licensed electrician to repair it. The service mast must be repaired before Black Hills Energy can safely restore power to your home. Here are the steps to get the service mast repaired at your home or business:

1. Call a certified electrician to schedule repair.
2. The electrician will call Black Hills Energy to turn off service to your home.
3. The electrician will repair the meter can or service mast.
4. The electrician will call an inspector to inspect the repair.
5. The inspector or electrician will call Black Hills to restore service. 

For outage information in your area, stay connected with Black Hills Energy by logging on to www.blackhillsenergy.com or follow us on Facebook.