Heavy Rains and Wind Cause Widespread Power Outages in Salem
Widespread power outages plagued Salem on Saturday due to heavy rains and winds. Thousands were left without electricity as severe weather conditions hit the area.
Power Outages in Salem
The outages, reported by Portland General Electric, began early Saturday afternoon. At the peak, nearly 7,000 residences were affected across Salem. The hardest-hit areas included south Salem, where over 4,000 homes lost power.
Details of the Outages
- The Kuebler Boulevard area experienced outages due to a fallen tree.
- An additional outage near Sunnyside Road remains under investigation.
- An east Salem outage impacted about 3,000 properties.
Power was restored to the east Salem area around 3 p.m. By Saturday evening, nearly all properties had their electricity restored.
Weather Conditions
Winds were significant, reaching speeds of 21 miles per hour with gusts up to 37 miles per hour. The National Weather Service indicated winds would gradually decrease to between 11 and 20 miles per hour overnight. Showers were expected to continue, with a possibility of thunderstorms lasting until 1 a.m.
Response and Recovery
Dispatch records indicated multiple reports of downed wires throughout Salem. Restoration efforts were rapid, with power expected to return to all affected areas by early Sunday morning.
As community members monitor weather updates, they are encouraged to stay informed about conditions that could lead to further outages.
