Winter storm causes power outages across Oregon; NE Bend area for hours



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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The first major winter storm of the season in central Oregon comes with complications.

According to Pacific Power, a power line that fell from a fallen tree has led to 6,200 customers without power in the Bend-Redmond area.

COVID-19 has already complicated daily errands, but adds a storm with power outages, and it has been nearly impossible to do anything on Friday morning.

The intersection of Revere and Third Street in Bend was one of the main areas affected.

Grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, even stop lights, everything stops.

Third Street Chevron station had been out all morning, its manager Aaron Sarmiento said.

“I got to work around 6am this morning and I mean around 6:30 am to 6:40 am my boss came to drop off supplies and it just happened,” Sarmiento said.

Sarmiento said the entire station was inoperative during an outage like this.

“The whole system is down,” Sarmiento said. “The pumps are broken, the turbines are broken, there is really nothing you can do.”

Even if you pay in cash, the turbines that pump gas at this Chevron station run on electricity.

Those looking to do their shopping on Friday morning at North Bend Albertson had to try their luck elsewhere.

Clients like Mark Huber weren’t able to take their medications at the adjacent Rite Aid, but he, like most, didn’t seem overly concerned.

“It limits me a bit,” Huber said. “I could in an emergency just walk through town and get it.”

Despite the early morning blackouts, Pacific Power says crews were able to fully restore all customers just after 12:30 p.m.

And the problem wasn’t just located in central Oregon. Damage and breakdowns have made their presence felt statewide.

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