Snowstorm cuts power to thousands


High Voltage Maintenance Training Online

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$599
Coupon Price:
$499
Reserve Your Seat Today
Summer barely left Montana before winter weather barreled in — leaving thousands of people in south-central Montana without power.

Northwestern Energy spokeswoman Claudia Rapkoch said heavy snow and falling branches dragged down power lines and cut electricity to several thousand customers, mostly along the Interstate 90 corridor between Bozeman and Billings.

The southernmost counties of Carbon, Park, Stillwater, Big Horn and Sweet Grass were hit particularly hard.

In one day, Cole Creek near the Red Lodge Mountain resort had received about 40 inches of snow. Meanwhile, Nye in Stillwater County got about 20 inches of snow, and the Bighorn Mountains also saw high accumulations.

Between three and six inches of snow fell in Bozeman early October 5, cutting electricity to almost a thousand customers. By about 5 p.m., power had been restored to all major electricity lines.

Related News

Coronavirus impacts dismantling of Germany's Philippsburg nuclear plant

Philippsburg Demolition Delay: EnBW postpones controlled cooling-tower blasts amid the coronavirus pandemic, affecting decommissioning timelines…
View more

How the 787 uses electricity to maximise efficiency

Boeing 787 More-Electric Architecture replaces pneumatics with bleedless pressurization, VFSG starter-generators, electric brakes, and heated…
View more

Venezuela: Electricity Recovery Continues as US Withdraws Diplomatic Staff

Venezuela Power Outage cripples the national grid after a massive blackout; alleged cyber attacks at…
View more

When will the US get 1 GW of offshore wind on the grid?

U.S. Offshore Wind Capacity is set to exceed 1 GW by 2024, driven by BOEM…
View more

Over 30% of Global Electricity from Renewables

Global Renewable Electricity Milestone signals solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal surpass 30% of power generation,…
View more

Hydro-Quebec shocks cottage owner with $5,300 in retroactive charges

Hydro-Quebec back-billing arises from analogue meter errors and estimated consumption, leading to arrears for electricity…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified