Utility crews continue to work to restore power in the Eugene area. More than 20-thousand Eugene Water and Electric customers lost power in Wednesday’s ice storm, but with temperatures lingering at or below freezing, more outages are possible this weekend.
Since Wednesday, ice-laden tree branches have fallen on power lines-causing widespread outages.
EWEB spokesman Joe Harwood says as of Friday, crews restored several thousand customers’ power.
“This is probably the most destructive ice storm we’ve seen in Eugene in 40 or 50 years. It’s that big of a deal." Harwood says, "And we’ve seen a significant amount of our electrical infrastructure be destroyed. It’s not just broken and downed lines.”
Harwood says the ice storm caused broken poles, cross-arms, and insulators and damage to substations. He says many customers could be without electricity through Tuesday. EWEB is getting help from utility crews from elsewhere in Oregon.
Report power outages to EWEB by calling 1-844-484-2300
Or text your outage to 893932
Harwood asks people without power to turn on their porch light so when power is restored crews can see the lights on.
