-- Grab EHS RSS FeedThis time it wasn’t a big storm with hurricane-force winds that knocked out power for thousands in Fort Wayne.
It was a squirrel, likely an ill-fated one, that ventured into a power distribution station and knocked out electricity to about 4,500 homes and businesses Friday morning.
Indiana Michigan Power spokeswoman YaVonda Ulfig said the squirrel was found inside the distribution station, near Stellhorn and Maysville roads.
The critter had come into contact with electrical equipment and tripped a transformer shortly after 11 a.m.
Utility crews managed to restore power by 1 p.m., Ulfig said.
It was the second time in two months a squirrel caused a power outage. About 1,650 customers lost power and numerous traffic lights were out Aug. 21 near Southgate Plaza because of a squirrel.
This summer, windstorms swept through the area, leaving tens of thousands without power.
Ulfig could not say for sure whether the squirrel that caused Friday’s outage died, but she assumed it was a goner.
“Typically, when you have these kinds of situations, it doesn’t always turn out well for the animal that comes in contact with the electrical equipment,” she said.
George Williams,
General Manager - Staff Entomologist
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