Storm knocks out power to Cibola County
2,700 customers affected

By Jim Tiffin
Staff Writer

GRANTS — A summer thunderstorm that moved through Grants, Milan and the eastern portion of Cibola County brought rain, heavy lightning and a power outage to about 2,700 customers Monday afternoon.

The outage, about 2 p.m., was first notified to Continental Divide Electric Cooperative Inc. from a major power and transmission provider near Denver, Colo., the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.

There were also calls from area residents and businesses who reported the outage to Continental, said Mac Juarez, spokesman for the electric cooperative.

The storm, said Jeff Bogard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, was a typical summer thunderstorm with a great deal of lightning, a little rain and some wind.

The highest wind gusts reported from the Grants-Milan Airport were 27 mph, he said.

In the three hours the storm passed through the area, .25 of an inch of rain was recorded.

Another storm system is expected to hit the same area today, and it is expected to be more powerful, he said.

Lightning struck a power line, probably in the McCarty's area, "We can't be sure," Juarez said.

The strike caused a breaker in a substation in the electric company's back yard to trip, he said.

The outage was considerable, extending from east Grants, including Interstate 40's exit 85 to the 102 exit, along the freeway and along State Route 122.

Several motels and stores at the east end of Grants were without power as were the residents including Pueblo of Acoma residents for about 30 minutes. Power was restored about 2:30 p.m., Juarez said.

Residents should follow these tips, provided by Continental, during a thunderstorm:

• Avoid open spaces, large trees and metal objects.
• Stay inside a building or a vehicle.
• If inside, avoid water do not take a bath or shower.
• Stay away from windows.
• Do not operate computers or telephones.
• Turn off and unplug other appliances such as TVs.
• Never, ever touch a downed power line.

To report power outages residents and businesses may call the 24 hour hotline at 1-877-775-5211.