Failed circuits in an Omaha Public Power District substation on Wednesday evening left about 5,000 customers without power the night before Thanksgiving. At least some local customers started regaining power just minutes before the big day.
While the police radio did not crackle with reports of rampaging hosts without lights, some Omahans no doubt spent several hours fretting over thawed turkeys that could spoil and side dishes yet to be cooked.
The reason for the power outage was unclear late Wednesday, but the problem needed to be diagnosed before power could be fully restored, said OPPD spokesman Jeff Hanson.
A circuit failed about 7:40 p.m. at OPPD's substation near 72nd and Blondo Streets, leaving about 2,100 customers without power in an area roughly bordered by 51st Avenue to the east, 74th Street to the west, Pratt Street to the north and Charles Street to the south.
OPPD workers tried to re-energize that first failed circuit, and two additional circuits failed shortly after 10 p.m., Hanson said. After that, the map of powerless Omahans expanded west to about 96th Street.
