Sunday in the Sault area: power outages, downed trees, hail

The wind has picked up again Sunday evening.

SooToday.com, once again, called on readers to inform their neighbours about power outages and hazards such as trees down on utility lines or across roads.

Saultites and folks to the east and west of the Sault responded.

They send text messages, called and sent emails to share emergency information and PUC crew sightings.

Seen in this SooToday.com photo is a PUC crew at work on Spring Street trying to restore power at about 11:20 p.m.

At the time the wind was strong and the weather alternated between sleet and hail.

Crews were working in two locations of Spring Street, one north of Albert Street and the other south.

************************* 11:50 p.m. update

Past Outages

This is a description of an unplanned power interruption(s) that recently affected PUC Distribution customers in Sault Ste. Marie.

Power has been restored to all customers.

If you are still without power please call the PUC Emergency number at 759-6555.

Interruption Date: October 16, 2011 at 8:31 PM Customers Affected: 615

Number of Customers Restored: 615 Restored at: 11:39 PM

Cause of Interruption: Equipment Failure -- Broken high voltage conductor

Description of area involved: Bay & Queen; March to East

***** Past Outages

This is a description of an unplanned power interruption(s) that recently affected PUC Distribution customers in Sault Ste. Marie.

Power has been restored to all customers. If you are still without power please call the PUC Emergency number at 759-6555.

Interruption Date: October 16, 2011 at 8:52 PM Customers Affected: 123

Number of Customers Restored: 123 Restored at: 11:39 PM

Cause of Interruption: Equipment Failure -- Broken high voltage conductor, switching for safety clearance

Description of area involved: Wellington south to Queen St. East, Tancred to Bruce

************************* 10:40 p.m. update

The power is back on in downtown Barr River, reports a loyal reader.

************************* 10 p.m. update

Power Interruption in Progress

This is a description of an unplanned power interruption(s) that is currently affecting PUC Distribution customers in Sault Ste. Marie.

If you have any information leading to the cause of the outage or other concerns please call the PUC emergency number at 759-6555.

Interruption Date: October 16, 2011 at 8:31 PM Customers Affected: 615

Cause of Interruption: Equipment Failure -- Broken high voltage conductor

Description of area involved:

Bay & Queen; March to East

************************* 9:43 p.m.

A loyal reader sent us a text from east of the Sault saying electricity has been off in Echo Bay on Barr River Road since 9 p.m.

The message warns of high wind and heavy rain east of the city.

Angel sent us a message saying there has been a lot of banging noises outside in the strong wind in Echo Bay.

Another loyal reader sent us a text message saying the power has been off on St. Joseph's Island since about 8:30 p.m.

Tanya M said Garden River lost power at about that time as well.

************************* 9:10 p.m.

One loyal reader has texted us and another has emailed us to warn drivers in the downtown area to be very careful.

Power there is out, streets are dark and a tree has come down across Woodward Avenue.

It has taken down a utility line and is blocking the road.

Readers also sent us text messages when the power went out in the west end of the city for about 15 minutes shortly after 4:30 p.m.

Others let us know that the power stayed off west of the city for some time after it came back on in the west end.

A news release from the PUC regarding the west end outage follows.

************************* Past Outages

This is a description of an unplanned power interruption(s) that recently affected PUC Distribution customers in Sault Ste. Marie.

Power has been restored to all customers. If you are still without power please call the PUC Emergency number at 759-6555.

Interruption Date: October 16, 2011 at 4:32 PM Customers Affected: 526

Number of Customers Restored: 526 Restored at: 5:18 PM

Cause of Interruption: Tree Contacts -- High Winds

Description of area involved:

Second Line West, west of Carpind Beach to Airport Rd, Base Line, Airport Rd to opoint Des Chene and Nikomis Beach

*************************