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4:00 p.m. Update

Grand Rapids, MN – Lake Country Power line crews are nearing the finish line in the quest to restore electric service for the remaining 218 members who are out after the heavy, wet spring snowstorm. There are 23 different outages to repair. Since late Saturday night, the co-op has restored power for more than 9,000 members.

Lake Country Power anticipates the remaining outages will be restored by this evening as all available line crews continue to work in full force.

Some of the work includes: McGregor line crews are working on two broken poles and Lake States Construction is working on replacing poles south of Tamarack and another in Barnum. 

“Lake Country Power is always prepared and ready to respond, especially in times when the weather is forecasted to take a turn for the worse,” said Derek Howe, chief operating officer. “Our line crews excel in times like these. Every available lineman came in to work and together they restored over 8,000 outages in a 24-hour period.”

Howe added, “As everyone is staying home to flatten the curve, we too are taking precautionary measures to keep our line crews safe and healthy from COVID-19.” 

Some of the mitigation steps Lake Country Power has in place, include:

  • The same two-man crews are working together at all times while also using the same trucks to avoid cross contamination.

    • When possible, the two-man crews are separated even further by driving different trucks individually. 

  • Crews are assigned to work separate substations for social distancing, and once at the job site they continue to use social distancing from one another and co-op members.

  • Crews are using rubber gloves. They also use disinfecting wipes to clean surfaces, including gas pumps.

  • Warehouse personnel set equipment outside the building for line crews to pick up for their job assignments.

  • Crews are going as far as to isolate themselves from family when family members have medical needs that could expose the linemen to a quarantine situation.

  • Crews are making personal sacrifices to cancel trips, vacations, etc., to make sure they are available to work on members’ behalf.

Members may call the cooperative at 1-800-421-9959 to report an outage, or visit the Outage Center online at www.lakecountrypower.coop or http://outage.lcp.coop for an outage status.