First Winter Snow Storm Results in Power Outages

Sunday, 6 October 2019 14:09

The first winter snow storm has resulted in power outages in the Whitehorse area. ATCO - Yukon Electric released a statement regarding the power outages at approx. 1:39 pm today.

The update below is from ATCO spokes person Jay Massie:

The following is an update on current and ongoing power outages as of midday Sunday October 6, 2019. A separate email will be sent later today that will give the details of the various power outages that started Saturday night and continued in to early Sunday morning.

The cause of all the power outages is the extreme snowfall in Southern Yukon. The wet and heavy snow accumulation leads to snow laden trees coming in contact with the high voltage power system.

ATCO Electric Yukon has had multiple crews in various areas working to restore power in a safe manner over the past 15 hours. They are continuing their work as the weather conditions persist.

On Sunday morning the Whitehorse North area experienced a widespread outage. In total, there were approximately 2500 customers affected by that outage.

The outage began at 10:00 am and included the following areas; Kulan, Crestview, Alaska highway west to Takhini River subdivision, the North Klondike highway (including the Hotsprings road) to Deep Creek subdivision, the Whistlebend subdivision and the Range road area to Mountainview drive.

Power was restored at the following times and areas;

450 customers in Crestview and Kulan subdivisions at 12:02 pm

1000 customers on the North Klondike highway at 12:27 pm

550 customers Whistlebend at 1:03 pm

500 customers on Range road at 1:10 pm

Also on mid Sunday morning, the Southern Lakes area experienced a weather related outage.

The outage began around 10:00 am for approximately 830 customers and included the Alaska Highway south from Carcross Corner to Teslin including the Marsh Lake area. Crews are continuing to clear trees in multiple areas as they work to restore the power.

ATCO - Yukon Electric apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks all the customers that called to report their outage or problem areas of the power system.

It is also of the utmost importance that we ask the public’s assistance in ensuring everyone’s safety in and around the power system. Please stay back 10 meters from any downed power line or any tree that is on the power lines and contact ATCO - Yukon Electric at (867) 633-7000 or 1 (800) 661-0513 to report the issue.

More from CHON-FM Northern News

Whitehorse Emergency Shelter Sees Another Tragic Death, Family Demands Answers

Bailey's biological father also died at the shelter in 2021, and she claims that the shelter's staff provided conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the death of her Step father.
Yukon Risks Blackouts This Winter as Hydro Power Plant Undergoes Repairs

The Aishihik turbine was critically damaged in October, and repair work is not expected to be completed until spring.
Yukon government accused of budgeting interference

Letters from three independent officers of the assembly question Management Board for changing budgets after approval.
Liard First Nation chief has lost confidence, been suspended by his community

LFN citizens who attended a public meeting Tuesday in Watson Lake overwhelmingly sided with the Deputy Chief and Council members who drafted a resolution to have Chief Stephen Charlie suspended from his duties
Liard First Nation Employees Fired After Advocating for Change

Emeral Poppe and Diana Lee Jimmy have been vocal advocates for change within Liard First Nation, raising concerns over transparency.
YFNED kicks off fifth-annual winter hamper program

"We try to support local as much as we can." - YFNED Acting Director of First Nation Initiatives Kim Rumley
Broken generator at Aishihik Generating Station puts pressure on the Yukon's electricity grid

The 12-megawatt generator failed due to a part malfunction, according to the Yukon Energy Corporation
Intergovernmental Forum takes place in Ottawa - not Yukon - for second year running

Forum discussed collaborative approaches to funding the implementation of Final and Self-Government Agreements.
Suspected contamination at the abandoned Wolverine Mine: Yukon government

The Yukon government has been addressing water treatment issues at the site since the mine's abandonment in 2015
Food For Fines Campaign Returns to Whitehors

Eligible tickets include: Expired parking meter fines, and Two-hour zone fines.
Yukon First Nations leadership and Yukon government leadership meet for 30th Yukon Forum

This was the third Yukon Forum of 2024. The last will be the Intergovernmental Forum in Ottawa in December.
Shot in the Dark Productions premiered two films at the Yukon Arts Centre

Shot in the Dark Productions believes puppets can captivate both children and adults, conveying important environmental science themes through entertainment.
Former Connective staff acquitted of sexual assault and exploitation charges

Judge Gurmail Gill found Omale not guilty due to inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony and lack of forensic evidence.
Whitehorse RCMP officers to start using body-worn cameras

The Yukon RCMP adopts body-worn cameras to bolster trust, accountability, and transparency in its community services
Whitehorse Community Thrift Store volunteers stop work following store manager's termination by its board of directors.

Thrift store society founder Karen Weinberg says the manager was fired for raising safety concerns.
Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin, Yukon NDP blast Yukon government for delays in Dawson Regional Land Use Plan

“Every day this plan doesn’t get done is another day of status quo for the mining industry. It’s starting to feel like this is by design.” - Yukon NDP Leader Kate White
Newly elected Whitehorse Mayor and Council sworn into office

Mayor Kirk Cameron and Councillors Anne Middler, Dan Boyd, Lenore Morris, Eileen Melynchuk, Jenny Hamilton, and Paolo Gallina have taken their oaths of office.
2024 Yukon River fall chum salmon run records dismal numbers

The Porcupine River revealed alarmingly low numbers, with 16,275 and 8,368 fish recorded
Trial of Former Connective residential support worker accused of sexually assaulting a vulnerable client commenced in Whitehorse territorial court on Monday.

Omale, 38 has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a person with a disability stemming from September 2023.
Whitehorse residents join Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition's Actions for Accountability Rally

Dozens of people marked Poverty and Homelessness Accountability week with a walk to the Jim Smith building, where the mother of a homeless man spent the night camping in the parking lot.