APS Working to Restore Power in Gila Bend, Ajo

July 20, 2009

PHOENIX - A fierce storm with reported wind gusts up to 100 miles per hour toppled 47 power poles and damaged nine transmission towers in the Gila Bend area around 6:15p.m. Sunday. Currently, 2,300 Arizona Public Service customers in Gila Bend and Ajo are without electricity.

APS crews worked through the night and continue to work today to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. At this time, APS does not have an estimated time of restoration; however, the outage is expected to last throughout Monday and for some areas possibly Tuesday and beyond.

APS is coordinating with Maricopa County Emergency Management for water supplies and with county and local officials to coordinate other relief efforts.

Cooling stations for affected customers have been established in Ajo and Gila Bend. The Ajo cooling station will be available at 10 a.m. at Ajo High School, located at 111 Well Rd. The Gila Bend cooling station has been established at the Gila Bend Community Center, located at 202 N. Euclid; services will be available starting at noon today.

APS is distributing dry ice to affected customers in Ajo and Gila Bend. In Gila Bend, dry ice will be available after 1 p.m. at the Shell station at 942 E. Pima. More than 8,000 lbs. of dry ice was distributed in Ajo this morning; more dry ice is on the way and will be distributed at the Shell station ay 429 N. 2nd Ave. late this afternoon.

APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more than 1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the largest subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

Select a picture above to view larger version of the image.

Media Hotline
(602) 250-2277