Winter storm brings power outage to Fort Hall Reservation
Idaho Power linemen work on Saturday, March 2 in Ross Fork.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — A major winter storm hit southeastern Idaho March 1 where up to a foot of snow fell that knocked out electricity throughout the Fort Hall Indian Reservation and eastern Idaho.
Heavy snow downed power lines. Melissa Thom, Idaho Power marketing leader, said it was difficult to restore because there was numerous small outages because of downed lines. “We had more than 50 linemen out there working,” with crews from as far away as Payette, Boise and Twin Falls helping out. The linemen were working from Friday night to Sunday evening with crews taking turns getting eight hours of rest.
She said 35,000 customers were impacted in the eastern region. Most power was restored Saturday afternoon and the remaining by Sunday afternoon. A few customers were still without power Monday morning.
A lineman picks up a downed line.
Tribal Transportation Director Anthony Pete Broncho said his crews have been out since then trying to keep the roads open. Because of high winds, as fast as they plow some roads, they’re filled up again. “Overall it’s been crazy weather,” Broncho said.
There’s 11 Transportation workers – two are up in Ross Fork, another in Bannock Creek, one in Lincoln Creek, and the rest around the rez. They have three plow trucks, three graders, a front end loader and two trucks with plows. Broncho said one grader and one plow truck need repairs.
Ross Fork residents stuck in the snow.
Two operators – Drew Farmer and Fred Nielsen helped plow the way for Idaho Power linemen to reach downed lines. Farmer helped out by Whiterocks and Nielsen in Gibson district.
Tribal Public Works employees were also helping plowing roads throughout the reservation.
Workers plow roads on Tuesday, March 5.
The Tribes Emergency Management Program activated the Emergency Operations Center and they were working with those who didn’t have power. Some residents were able to get lodging through them if they were without power through Sunday.
