Squirrel Causes Widespread Power Outage in Downtown Jenks

A furry culprit disrupted daily life in Jenks on Wednesday when a squirrel caused a significant power outage affecting approximately 3,000 customers. The incident led to temporary disruptions for local businesses and schools, but power has since been restored.

The Cause of the Outage

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) confirmed that a squirrel gained access to equipment at a Jenks substation, interacting with a transformer. This intrusion triggered the system to de-energize the lines as a safety measure to prevent further damage. "We quickly identified the problem and are working to get customers back on," stated Matt Rahn from PSO.

Impact on Jenks Schools

The power outage had a notable impact on the Jenks Public School district. Jenks High School, the Freshman Academy, and most buildings at West Elementary experienced the loss of power. Despite the inconvenience, school leaders made the decision to continue with the school day as scheduled. Arrangements were made to provide pizza for students during lunchtime.

Restoration Efforts

PSO crews worked diligently to resolve the issue and restore electricity to the affected areas. The swift response ensured that power was returned to the approximately 3,000 customers who were initially impacted by the squirrel-induced outage.

Sources

• Power Restored In Downtown Jenks After Squirrel Causes Large Outage, News On 6.