TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Tucson Electric Power posted on its social media accounts Tuesday afternoon that some customers in the Foothills may remain without power until Wednesday night while crews make emergency storm repairs.
"Multiple crews have been working around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible in the affected areas," the post said.
Restoration work has been slowed by rocky, hilly terrain in some areas, the post said.
UPDATED 12:04 p.m. Tuesday, July 18:
TEP reports that about 3,200 people are without service as of noon.
UPDATED 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, July 18:
TEP is distributing ice to those still without power after the Monday outage. Customers can pick up ice at two Foothills locations:
- Ace Hardware | 4751 E. Sunrise Drive
- Bashas | 6900 E. Sunrise Drive
TEP is also providing updated numbers related to the power outage. They say about 5,000 customers are still without power Tuesday morning, with service restored to more than 15,000 customers since Monday evening. They say it could take until afternoon or evening in some cases for power to be restored in the following areas:
- East Sunrise Drive between North Campbell Avenue and North Kolb Road
- North Pontatoc Road north of River Road
According to TEP, more than 30 power poles were damaged in the area Monday. Rocky terrain in the affected areas are adding to repair times.
UPDATED 6:11 a.m. Tuesday, July 18:
Crews are continuing repairs as thousands of people wake up without power. Currently, over 3,000 TEP customers are experiencing outages. According to TEP, some people may have to wait until the afternoon for power to be restored.
KGUN crews were up in the Catalina Foothills this morning; the area saw significant impacts from Monsoon activity, including fallen trees and multiple downed power lines.
Drivers headed in the area near Campbell Avenue and East Bening Wood Road should be aware of closures and delays.
UPDATED 10:15 p.m. Monday, July 17:
The Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is continuing to fix connections to homes.
"As of 10 p.m., we have about 11,000 customers still out of service," TEP Supervisor of Media Relations Jospeh Barrios said. "Our crews will work through the night on repairs and restorations."
UPDATE AT 8:10 p.m. Monday, July 17:
KGUN 9 has gotten word of La Encantada and the surrounding-area residents out of electricity as well.
"...the damage from tonight’s storms was widespread throughout town." Tucson Electric Power Supervisor of Media Relations Joseph Barrios revealed. "We have more than 13,000 customers out of service at the moment."
We finally received measurable rainfall at the Tucson airport and thankfully the rest of the metro area as well. This is the third latest date in the monsoon season for recording measurable rainfall! #azwx pic.twitter.com/LqKHn0raLy
— NWS Tucson (@NWSTucson) July 18, 2023
UPDATE AT 5:34 p.m. Monday, July 17:
The Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is reporting more than 12,000 customers who are affected.
"Our crews will work overnight, restoring service and making repairs as quickly as possible." TEP Supervisor of Media Relations Joseph Barrios told KGUN 9. "We’ve restored service to some customers, but new outage reports are still coming in."
INITIAL STORY 5:07 p.m. Monday, July 17:
Over 10,000 customers are without power on Tucson's east side and in the Foothills, according to Tucson Electric Power, after a powerful storm roared through Tucson late Monday afternoon.
The outages run from Fort Lowell and Swan North past East Skyline Drive in the Foothills. They are concentrated between Kolb and Camino Seco, 22nd to the south and Speedway to the north on Tucson's east side.
Smaller outages have been reported east of Pantano and south of Golf Links, and at Speedway and Craycroft.
Please stay with KGUN 9 for continuing updates.
