UPDATE Semi hits pole in Hays, causes short-lived power outage in Vine corridor

Midwest Energy workers right the power pole hit by a semi-truck Thursday night behind Centennial Plaza in Hays. (Photo by Becky Kiser)

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Much of the Vine Street corridor was in the dark for a short time Thursday evening when a power pole was struck by a semi-truck at Centennial and General Hays at 7:49 p.m.

The outage affected approximately 1,500 customers, according to Midwest Energy’s outage viewer, but was short-lived, with all but a handful back in service in a few minutes. Check Hays Post for details or click HERE for information from Midwest Energy.

According to Hays Police Cpl. David Vilaysing at the scene, power was out on the east and west sides of Vine Street from 13th Street north to 27 Street.

The traffic lights were also out at 13th and 27th. HPD officers directed traffic until the power was rerouted and restored to the lights after about 20 minutes, Vilaysing said.

A truck driver from Oklahoma with a load of freight for PetSense in the Centennial Plaza shopping center, was attempting to turn the corner at Centennial and General Hays and then pull into the area behind the store.

The Centennial Plaza shopping center was dark and without electricity Thursday evening. Patrons left the shops. leaving the parking lot nearly empty. (Photo by Becky Kiser)

“He said it was a pretty tight turn and he just clipped the pole,” Vilaysing said. A wire on top of the pole hit a light and ground it out, causing the power outage. “There was very little damage to the trailer and no injuries,” he added.

Midwest Energy workers were on the scene righting the pole and then bracing it. They plan to do a more permanent fix Friday morning.

Power was still out in the Centennial Plaza, Love’s Country Store and Osaki Japanese Restaurant as late as 9 p.m. Vilaysing estimated the power would be restored within an hour or so.