RAPID CITY, S.D. – Black Hills Energy crews have returned to the field Tuesday morning to continue repairing extensive damage to the electrical system across the Southern Hills.
Repair operations are currently concentrated in the Custer and Hill City areas. Utility officials report that fallen trees and debris caused significant damage to infrastructure, resulting in numerous broken power poles and downed electrical wires. As of 7 a.m., approximately 250 customers in the region remain without electricity.
As technicians reach more remote locations, they are discovering damage to customer-owned equipment. Black Hills Energy officials noted that several service masts – the metal tubes that feed electricity from overhead lines into a home – have been damaged by falling limbs or high winds.
Homeowners are advised to inspect their service masts for signs of being bent, loose, or otherwise damaged. Because these components may remain energized, residents should not touch them. Under utility regulations, Black Hills Energy cannot restore power to an individual residence until a certified electrician repairs any damage to the home’s service mast.
The utility provided the following safety and troubleshooting guidelines for residents in Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills:
- Stay away from any downed power lines and report them immediately to 888-890-5554.
- Check breakers and fuses inside the home to ensure the outage is not related to internal electrical issues.
- Ensure the area around the electric meter is clear of debris to allow crews to confirm service to the property.
- Contact professional tree trimmers to clear any trees on private property that are interfering with service lines.
Utility crews expect to continue work throughout the day as they navigate difficult terrain to reach damaged poles. Additional information regarding storm safety and restoration updates is available through the Black Hills Energy website.
