Severe weather keeps utility crews busy in Cass County and Grand Forks
A severe winter storm hit Cass County and Grand Forks on Thursday, December 18, bringing blizzard-like conditions. Strong winds and heavy snow led to widespread power outages as downed tree branches damaged overhead lines. Utility crews worked through hazardous conditions to restore electricity to affected areas.
The outages began around midday when wind gusts knocked branches onto power lines. Xcel Energy reported major disruptions in Grand Forks, while Cass County Electric also faced significant service interruptions. Officials warned residents to avoid downed cables and report any blackouts directly to their providers, as not all incidents were automatically logged.
Chad Brousseau of Cass County Electric noted that freezing rain could have worsened the damage. Shawn Paschke from Xcel Energy explained that the company prepares for extreme weather, with meteorologists on staff to track such events. Authorities advised households to keep backup chargers and first-aid supplies ready for future emergencies. In unrelated news, UKA announced leadership changes in its Mitteldeutschland branch. **Paul Hoffmann** will take over as head from **Wieland Zeller** on December 1, 2025, overseeing operations in Saxony, Thuringia, and Saxony-Anhalt. **Guido Hinrichs** remains Managing Director for Project Development Germany. Meanwhile, **Harald Pointner** continues as head of Renewable Energies, Supply, and Disposal at Flughafen München GmbH.
Power was gradually restored as crews repaired damaged lines, though officials urged ongoing caution. Residents were reminded to stay clear of fallen wires and report any lingering outages. The storm highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness in regions prone to extreme winter weather.
