DENVER (KDVR) — Thousands of customers of multiple power companies in Colorado were without power Tuesday as strong winds blew through the Foothills and Front Range.
wind, prompting High wind warnings and road closuresspeeds could reach 35 to 50 mph, with gusts of 80 to 90 mph possible. As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, Gilpin County was experiencing 90 mph wind gusts.
High winds cause traffic concerns in Colorado mountains, US 285 closed
Park County CORE Electric Cooperative Outage Areas
CORE Electric Cooperative reported that more than 1,100 customers were without power in Park County, and U.S. 285 near the county was closed after reports of wind gusts of 75 mph.
“Staff are assessing and will restore service as soon as possible,” CORE said in the X post.
Additionally, more than 4,700 Xcel Energy customers were without power in parts of the Foothills and Denver metro areas. Just after 3 p.m., Poudre Valley REA reported more than 5,000 members were affected, but said around 4:24 p.m. power had been restored to all members in its northwest service area.
High winds struck a live wire from a parked truck in Idaho Springs early Tuesday morning, causing a power outage in much of Idaho Springs, police said. PulsePoint also said there are some power lines in Estes Park.
Most businesses were also forced to temporarily close due to the outage, which Xcel reports has largely been restored in the region. As of 4:43 p.m., about 42 Xcel customers were still without power and about 98 CORE Electric customers were without power in Clear Creek County south of Idaho Springs.
“We were running to print tickets and make drinks before the power went out,” said Misha Beaudin, who works at a local coffee shop.
Not only are the winds hampering power supplies to businesses, but they are also creating hazards for drivers.
“We move a lot, so I guess you have to be vigilant,” traveler Abe Villanueva told FOX31.
While the power company did not say how long each outage will last, a high wind warning is in place until midnight for the area.
FOX31’s Heather Willard contributed to this report.
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