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Power restoration rises to 70%

Alliant Energy has restored power to more than 70 percent of customers since Thursday when an EF-3 tornado ripped through the heart of Marshalltown.

About 10,000 customers were originally impacted by the devastation, but by Sunday morning just more than 3,000 customers remained without power, Alliant spokesperson Justin Foss said.

Meanwhile, about 450 gas meters were restored yesterday with about 1,000 to be brought online Sunday, he said.

“We’re bringing in fresh crews from other areas today and will have a full contingent with our goal of full restoration by midweek,” Foss said.

Some areas in the Central Business District were restored Saturday afternoon. Foss said the availability of connections were discovered sooner than expected.

Safety

Safety issues are slowing progress in residential neighborhoods.

“We have kids riding bikes near or under powerlines and running around trucks,” Foss said. “It’s understandable because we are in their backyards but it’s very dangerous. Our crews do have to slow down or stop work in these situations.”

Marshalltown residents are reminded to give crews the space they need to accomplish the large task ahead, he said.

Customer Responsibility

Customers also need to be aware that their power will not be restored until they have repaired any electrical damage to the connections to their home.

“Any attachment point to the house is the customer’s responsibility,” he said. “The weather head, the steel pipe to the meter box and the box is the customer’s responsibility.

A licensed electrician should be hired for that work, he said.

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