Print

June 5, 2012

Idaho Power Restores Service After Storm

BOISE, Idaho – As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, power had been restored to nearly 45,000 of the 52,000 customers in eastern Oregon and southern Idaho who experienced power outages from last night’s severe storm and lightning strikes. Idaho Power crews worked safely and quickly throughout the night to repair extensive damage and restore power.

The strong storm with high winds knocked down hundreds of power poles and power lines. Heavily damaged areas include McCall to Garden Valley, Boise and Idaho City, and the Twin Falls area. Many power lines were reported down on the ground or crossing roads, and officials urge people to keep clear and treat them all as energized and dangerous. Crews are continuing work today and preparing for what Mother Nature may bring this evening.

“We appreciate our customers’ support and patience as we work to get the lights back on,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dan Minor. “We understand and apologize that this weather-caused outage impacted many of our customers. Our outage information line was overloaded due to an unprecedented volume of phone calls. That line is accessible now, and we are devoting a large number of resources to restoring power. We ask those who are still without power for their continued patience and understanding.”

It is important customers know there are several things they can do to help ensure their power is restored as quickly as possible once Idaho Power completes its work:
1. Turn off all appliances, machinery and equipment that was in use when the power went out (including the furnace/air conditioner), except for one light. When this light comes on, it will be your signal power has been restored. Turning off everything else will help protect your appliances against voltage fluctuations that may happen if a circuit overloads when power is restored.
2. Once power has been restored, wait 30 minutes and begin turning home appliances and lighting back on in 10-minute intervals.

Customers can get updated information about outages in their area by calling 388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151 outside the Treasure Valley.
 
Additional information about how to prepare for a power outage also is available at www.idahopower.com/outagetips.

About Idaho Power Company:
Idaho Power began operations in 1916. Today, the electric utility employs approximately 2,000 people who serve nearly 500,000 customers throughout a 24,000-square-mile area in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. With 17 low-cost hydroelectric projects as the core of its generation portfolio, Idaho Power’s residential, business and agricultural customers pay among the nation’s lowest rates for electricity. IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE: IDA) is the investor-owned utility’s parent company based in Boise, Idaho. To learn more, visit www.idahopower.com or www.idacorpinc.com.

Contact:
Lynette Berriochoa
Communication Specialist
Idaho Power
(208) 388-2407; lberriochoa@idahopower.com
1-800-458-1443 media line