Monday Morning Update From PGE As More Than 70,000 Are Still Without Power

Portland, Ore – PGE crews, supported by mutual assistance crews from various states, are intensifying efforts to restore power following severe damage caused by the winter storm that commenced on Saturday. More than 1,400 PGE personnel, including crews and support staff, are tirelessly working to address downed lines, damaged poles, substations, and transmission equipment.

Benjamin Felton, Chief Operating Officer at PGE, acknowledged the challenges faced by customers and expressed the company’s commitment to restoring power swiftly and safely. Despite proactive storm preparations and securing additional resources, the extensive damage, including fallen trees, limbs, debris, and ice, hampered access to the hardest-hit areas.

The damage assessment revealed nearly 850 downed distribution power lines, lines entangled in fallen limbs, transformer and substation damage, and trees impacting equipment. At its peak on Saturday, over 160,000 customers were without power. As of 9:30 a.m. Monday, approximately 75,000 customers remain affected.

Forecasted strong winds on Monday, coupled with potential freezing rain/sleet on Tuesday evening, pose additional challenges and could lead to new outages and extended restoration times. Customers are urged to report any new outage via the PGE mobile app or online.

The public is reminded to treat any downed power line as live and extremely dangerous, maintaining a safe distance. Never touch a downed wire with your body or any object. Report any downed line immediately to PGE by calling 503-464-7777 or 800-544-1795. Further information on outages, restoration efforts, and community resources can be found at PGE Winter Storm Info.