Few power outages have been reported in Missouri due to the blizzard.
Black River Electric, based in Fredericktown, reports about 1,800 homes without power, most from one feeder line. Galloping lines caused by high winds have caused outages in the northern end of Cuivre River Electric’s service area in Pike County south of Bowling Green. A few more than 1,000 customers lost power.
The storm is slowing repair efforts near Fulton, where Callaway Electric reports nearly 1,000 outages. Consolidated Electric Cooperative, based in Mexico, reports about 250 members without power. Scattered outages are reported throughout the state.
Many electric co-ops express worry about the wind and its potential effect on power lines. The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives reports that no member has requested assistance. Repair of outages is being handled by local crews.
Ameren Missouri reports only a few hundred of its 1.2 million customers have lost power. The utility says it now is preparing for round two. The forecast for winds and frigid temperatures has Ameren crews on alert. The utility says it has moved crews to communities that could be hardest hit by the storm.
Utility crews urge residents to stay away from downed power lines and to consider any lines energized.