Two overlapping power outages hit area Thursday

Two separate power outages impacted the region Thursday night, with many NorthWestern Energy customers impacted by both outages.

NorthWestern Energy spokesperson Jo Dee Black said this morning that an issues with a piece of equipment on a transmission line was identified as the reason for the outages.

Crews worked last night to restore service and have been working since daylight to make the necessary repairs, Black said.

The first power outage impacted NorthWestern Energy electric customers from Joplin to Nashua and south to Big Sandy from 8:30 p.m. to about 9 p.m.

Then a power outage from about 9:15 to 11 p.m. impacted NorthWestern Energy customers in the Havre, Big Sandy and Box Elder areas.

Crews responded immediately and worked to restore service as quickly and as safely possible, Black said.