Portland Weather: As Region Thaws, PGE Crews Scramble to Restore Power

There is little about rain that Oregonians aren't able to cope with on some level. But when it falls from the sky, frozen - nothing but trouble. Just ask the crews from Portland General Electric.

Since Thursday, more than three dozen PGE line and tree crews have been working around the clock to restore power to the tens of thousands who have lost electricity.

PGE says that on Saturday alone they restored power to more than 40,000 customers - and more than 77,000 since Thursday.

As of 11:30 Saturday night, there were less than 5,000 customers without power.

Major repairs continue into the night at W Burnside and Hermosa Blvd in Portland. Burnside remains closed at that location for public safety while PGE crews work to restore downed power poles, transformers and wires.

With ice-laden trees and limbs bringing down hundreds of power lines in the Portland area, PGE reminds customers who venture out to be aware of their surroundings and to stay far away from any downed wires.

PGE says remember that a wire doesn't have to be sparking or burning to be dangerous! Call PGE immediately at 503-464-7777 to report any downed line or a power outage.

Photo PGE