Crews Fighting Snow, Power Restore Delayed

A break in the storms is helping. But Pacific Gas and Electric officials — as of 7:30 a.m. this morning — are now saying it going to take longer to get power restored to hundreds of power customers in eastern Tuolumne County.

P-G-and-E spokesman Mark Hendrickson said this morning it will be at least until 6 p.m. Friday before the power is back on.

Gale-force winds Monday afternoon snapped 14 power poles. That knocked out power to more than 1,640 power customers in Strawberry, Pinecrest, Leland Meadows and Dodge Ridge.

Hendrickson says repair crews have to hike into the remote area west of Cold Springs, fighting snowdrifts of over two-feet deep in some places.

Equipment is hauling the 45-foot power poles up mountains to get to the remote, roadless location of the downed power lines.