News

GRDA working to restore power feed to Pawnee

May 29, 2019

Grand River Dam Authority News Release
For immediate release: 5/28/19

GRDA working to restore power feed to Pawnee

Pawnee – GRDA is working to resolve a power outage that has impacted some residents in the community of Pawnee. This outage resulted from an electric transmission structure that collapsed as a result of the recent, historic levels of rain in Oklahoma over the past two weeks.

The structure, which is located near a flood-swollen creek near Pawnee, toppled on Monday (May 27) when the ground, which has been softened by the heavy rains and flooding, eroded away.

GRDA was able to promptly reroute its wholesale power supply to a portion of Pawnee. However, some areas in and around Pawnee were still without power on Tuesday morning, due to the damage.

GRDA crews, along with Pawnee personnel, are actively working to bring a resolution to the ongoing outage. Due to the extreme conditions, GRDA will be making temporary repairs to restore power with a plan to make permanent repairs as soon as weather and ground conditions permit.

“The significant flooding, which is ongoing, was the cause of this outage. The current impact of the flooding has presented some unique challenges,” said GRDA’s John Wiscaver, Executive Vice President of Strategic Communications. “We appreciate Pawnee’s patience and partnership, as we continue to make repairs and restore power to all impacted areas.”

GRDA has provided wholesale electricity to Pawnee since 1953. The community is one of 15 GRDA municipal customer communities in Oklahoma.

Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is Oklahoma’s state-owned electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: employees, electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship and efficiency.

Photo caption information:

Near Pawnee, this GRDA high voltage transmission line structure came down on Monday, when heavy flooding in a nearby creek eroded the ground around the structure. GRDA crews, along with Pawnee personnel, are actively working to bring a resolution to the ongoing electrical outage.

Contact:
Justin Alberty
Vice President of Corporate Communications
(918) 256 0618
jalberty@grda.com
www.grda.com