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Power Outages in Monroe County

CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP — Dealing with a power outage can be a pain all of its own, but add single digit temperatures to the mix and it’s even more di...
mon power outages

CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP -- Dealing with a power outage can be a pain all of its own, but add single digit temperatures to the mix and it's even more difficult. And on one of the coldest days of the year more than 1,000 people were without power in Monroe County Sunday.

A tree fell across Merwinburg Road in Chestnuthill Township, toppling over a power line and cutting off electricity for around 600 homes and businesses.

Crews were on scene for several hours, slowly restoring power to people in the area. PPL crews from Honesdale, Hamlin and all around were called out to help and crews were expected to keep working as long as it took to bring power back.

Wendy Daricek was one of the lucky ones. For years now, she's had a generator hard-wired to her house for times just like this.

"This is the first one we've had so far that's been this long," Daricek said.

Daricek's mother was in the middle of cooking stew when their power went out. Thankfully, all the food didn't have to go to waste.

"We just turn it on and keep fueling it and it keeps us going for a while," said Daricek.

Jacob Huff and his wife moved into their home only a year ago and already, they're prepared for whatever winter brings their way.

"We put a propane fireplace in upstairs and just bought propane a week ago because we knew this kind of stuff was going to come up and we have a wood stove in the basement. We're trying to keep the pipes from freezing also," Huff said.

It got so bad in the area that the West End Fire Department opened up its doors to those in need of a boost, whether it was warmth or energy.

"Give people a place to come down, warm up. If they need a place to charge up their cell phone they can do that here," Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Hoffman said.

Power has been restored to almost all residents in Monroe County.

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