Billings

Power outage hits Billings

Posted: Oct 11, 2012 1:43 PM by Q2 News
Updated: Oct 11, 2012 4:43 PM

UPDATE: - 1:59 p.m.

All power has been restored in Billings. The total number of customers affected is more than 12,000. Northwestern Energy reports that there was an internal equipment failure in a transformer at the 8th Street Substation.

Some customers were without power for more than an hour.

UPDATE - 1:39 p.m.

We have power back on at the Q2 studios!

UPDATE - 1:38 p.m.

According to Northwestern Energy, the problems originated from the 8th Street Substation. Crews were seen working there. At least 9,000 customers have been affected. No cause of the outage has been determined yet. The area affected seems to be in the southern part of Billings and extends all the way to Laurel.

UPDATE - 1:35 p.m.

Thanks to all our viewers for providing up-to-date information from their locations to our Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/Q2News/posts/10150244634939982

UPDATE - 1:26 p.m.

We are getting reports of power popping back on in several areas. There is still no word on the cause of the outage.

UPDATE - 1:24 p.m.

We have heard that power has just returned to houses near Rimrock and 13th Street West.

UPDATE - 1:22 p.m.

Power appears to be working at MSU-B and Rocky Mountain College.

UPDATE - 1:21 p.m.

We have reports that power is currently on at Rimrock Mall.

UPDATE - 1:20 p.m.

The Billings Police Department reminds people on their Facebook page:

"Significant power outage on west end from approximately 8th Street West to 24th Street West at minimum. Several intersections traffic lights are not functioning. Please remember to treat non-functioning traffic signals at intersections as a 4 way Stop."

UPDATE - 1:17 p.m.

Everything east of 32nd Street North appears to have power.

UPDATE - 1:15 p.m.

Senior High and Central High are without power right now. Billings Public Schools is now working out the status of other schools in the district. According to School District 2, classes are continuing as normal.

ORIGINAL POST - 12:48 p.m.

BILLINGS - A large area of Billings is without power.

We are working to pinpoint the problem. However we do not know any details at this time.

The power outage appears to be sporadic in different areas of the city. Traffic lights are out in the downtown area and King Avenue.