Wind storm knocked out power to 62 percent of Arrowhead Cooperative’s system

Power outages continue across Cook County after a high wind storm hit northern Minnesota on Nov. 11.

Yesterday, there were reports of downed trees, including trees that were blown into power lines, disrupting service and, in some cases, sparking or smoldering. Emergency crews across the county, as well as the Cook County Highway Department, Arrowhead Cooperative crews, and Grand Marais Public Utilities, began working before 6 a.m. to clear power lines and any roads obstructed by downed trees.

The wind storm impacted 62% of Arrowhead Cooperative’s meters, said John Twiest, CEO of Arrowhead Cooperative.

Of the 6037 meters on Arrowhead Cooperative’s system, 3726 meters were without power during the storm’s peak.

“That’s literally more than half of our system,” Twiest said.

Lineman crews finished working yesterday at 10 p.m. and have returned to restoring power this morning at 6 a.m.

“We have about 248 meters currently out,” Twiest told WTIP on Nov. 12. “They are scattered throughout the county.”

Twiest said, “Yesterday, the crews did a phenomenal job.”

Power outages should be reported to Arrowhead Cooperative by phone at (218) 663-7239 or through the website.

WTIP’s CJ Heithoff spoke with Arrowhead Cooperative’s CEO, John Twiest, at 7 a.m. on Nov. 12 about the power outages caused by the Nov. 11 wind storm.

Kalli Hawkins November 12, 2024