Here Are the Details on the Northwestern Energy Power Outage Map

Have you ever had a moment where you reach for the light switch or plug something into the wall and think to yourself "man, I'm sure glad I have electricity".  Yeah, me either.  But when you reach for it and there isn't a light, well, that changes quickly.

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Being without power in your home is brutal.  I don't have any other way to describe it honestly.  No lights, no power for your refrigerator.  And even worse, things like your heater as we enter the colder months of the Montana fall and wintertime.

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How Power Is Restored by Northwestern Energy Across Montana in Times of Crisis

When the unfortunate power outage happens, NorthWestern Energy uses a specific set of criteria to restore the power grid that has failed.  As much as we would all like to have our electricity back on as soon as possible, there is a lot that goes on between where that power originates from, and the stations that carry it to our homes.

Electrical insulators and metal components on a transformer against a clear blue sky

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NorthWestern Energy has 4 stages that they work through to restore power:

• Crews first repair damage to transmission lines
• Work crews then move to the substations of the lines
• Crews move to neighborhood area stations
• Individual homes that may require additional repair of lines

Here Are the Details on the Northwestern Energy Power Outage Map

For customers of NorthWestern Energy, the company offers an outage map for the three states they cover including Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska.  According to their website, "the map indicates areas of current planned and unplanned outages and the estimated time of restoration."

2 men in orange safety helmet riding on red and yellow cable car during daytime

With winter weather already making its debut this past weekend and knocking power out in areas around the city of Great Falls and in central Montana, Northwestern Energy also offers ways to be alerted including text, email or even notifications sent to family members.  Learn more about it here.