5/21/2024 Severe Thunderstorm in Rochester, Minnesota RPU Outages

Update: 20:55 (8:55 PM) CDT: Power has been restored in some of northwest Rochester, Elton Hills to 37th Street.

 

Update: 20:10 (8:10 PM) CDT power is still out in affecting around 2000 customers, most of them without power for over 2 1/2 hours. There is no specific number given for the number of customers in other parts of Med-city, including many neighborhoods in northeast and southeast Rochester. Nothing has been updated on the Outages page for Rochester Public Utilities. In fact, their outage map is blank, but there is a note, nothing specific, that shares there’s an outage, which by now, most customers know. What customers want to find out is when their service will be restored. 

Employees working from home, without power, may not be able to work, and after a couple of hours without recharging, devices could be below 50%. I51you have a car adapter, this may be a good temporary source of electricity. Desktop workers are likely out of luck, however.

Power Outage 5:51 PM CDT NW Rochester Reported In Elton Hills Area

By Lisa Loucks -Christenson

Published By Rochester Sun Times News at 6:06 PM CDT

Rochester, Minnesota (Rochester Sun Times News) — A RSTN reader reported their power is out in NW Rochester since 5:51 PM. Power has been reported in southeast Rochester in the Pinewood Road area, and all across southeastern Minnesota. 

Be prepared to take cover if sirens are activated. Threats of winds up to 70 miles per hour are possible, damage to trees, buildings and life is possible.

Rochester in Olmsted County, is under a severe thunderstorm warning, a Level 4 out of 5, which is considered a Moderate Risk category with large hail, 70 mph winds and higher, damage to trees and structures is possible, tornadoes are possible during this severe thunderstorm that remains in effect until 21:00 (9 PM) CDT, unless extended.

I am covering NW Rochester right now, if you have any storm damage.

The skies are dark, with only a slight breeze. A light rain is falling, and I felt the temperature drop. The dusk-like atmosphere is without our per usual daylight and without the hum of electricity feels absent of life. However quiet it is and becomes, at least birds are singing in the rain and the intermittent rumbling of thunder, with periodic flashes of lightening continues on. At least for now, but the air remains still with a foreboding chill.