Widespread power outages follow intense thunderstorm in Cook County

Update: As of 11:45 p.m. Sept. 5, power was restored to most of Cook County. If you are still without electricity, call Arrowhead Electric Cooperative at 218-663-7239.

More than 500 members of Arrowhead Electric Cooperative remained without power Tuesday night following a thunderstorm that brought hail, heavy rain, and strong winds to Cook County.

As of 8:40 p.m., most of the power outages in Cook County remained east of Grand Marais, from Lindskog Road to the Canadian Border, according to officials at Arrowhead Electric. There were some additional outages reported closer to Grand Marais as well. Power was out for most of the Gunflint Trail, though that had largely been restored by 8:30 p.m., according to Jenny Kartes from Arrowhead, who spoke with WTIP Tuesday night. Widespread outages were first reported at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Arrowhead crews and supplemental contractors from outside Cook County were working to resolve the remaining power outages Tuesday night. Given the number of outages that remained, it could take some time before power is restored for the entire county, according to dispatch at the Cook County Law Enforcement Center.

If you have a power outage, call Arrowhead Electric Cooperative at 218-663-7239.

Heavy rain is expected through Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, with more than an inch of additional rain still possible, according to the National Weather Service.

Joe Friedrichs September 5, 2023