Cleanup from the first major winter storm of the season is pretty much complete.
The blizzard that hit the Copper Country Wednesday and Thursday brought heavy, wet snow to the entire region. The western tip of the Upper Peninsula was hit hardest, with Ironwood reporting 27 inches, and Hurley, Wisconsin, 31 inches.
Totals in the Keweenaw varied widely, with isolated reports of 30 inches or more, especially in the Herman area and the Huron Mountains. Official totals included 19 inches at Ahmeek and Allouez, 18 inches at Baraga, 14 inches at Twin Lakes and Chassell, and 10 inches at Painesdale. Interestingly, Hancock reported nearly 17 inches of snow, while Houghton recorded 10 inches just across the Portage.
Widespread power outages prompted several organizations to open warming centers, including the Bootjack Fire Department, the Quincy-Franklin-Hancock Township Fire Department, the Chassell Fire Department, the Baraga Fire Department, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Greenland Fire Department, the Ontonagon Fire Department, and Holy Family Catholic Church in Ontonagon.
Upper Peninsula Power Company and Ontonagon REA were both challenged with numerous major power outages caused by the wind and heavy snow, which knocked trees and branches onto the lines. Crews and equipment were brought in from outside the region to assist with repairs. Most service was restored by late Friday.
UPPCO Manager of Communications and External Affairs Dan Freeborn said most of their late efforts involved customers in the Jacobsville and Rabbit Bay areas in Houghton County, and Lake Medora in Keweenaw County, where lines are hard to access as they cover areas well away from plowed roads. UPPCO’s service territory covers about 4,600 square miles, with an average of twelve customers per square mile.
We weren’t alone in this storm – similar conditions were reported over the past few days all across the state, even well down into the Lower Peninsula. A second storm passed just south of the Keweenaw over the weekend, dumping around six inches in the Huron Mountains, and up to a foot in the southwest quadrant of the Lower Peninsula.
