For Release: 04/20/2009

Spring Storm Dumps Wet, Heavy Snow in Northern Wisconsin; 5,000 WPS Customers Lose Power, Most Restored.

Rhinelander, WI – A spring snow storm dumped seven inches of very wet, heavy snow in the Eagle River, Three lakes, Rhinelander & Crandon areas of northern Wisconsin causing more than 5000 customers to lose power. Wisconsin Public Service dispatched its first restoration crews at about 5:00 this morning. As storm gained momentum, crews from Green Bay, Wausau, Merrill, Minocqua, Wabeno, M&M, Antigo and Tomahawk were called in to the Eagle River and Rhinelander areas to assist local crews with power restoration.

Trees on power lines were the main culprit which resulted in blown fuses and some lines taken down. Less than 1,000 customers remain without power as of 4:30 PM, with the remaining customers expected to be restored by late this evening. However, additional snow and winds that can result in more outages in the area are forecast.

"We have the bulk of our customers back on," said Community Relations Leader Leah Van Zile. "Now we could use a little break from Mother Nature so more of our customers don't lose power tonight."

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