Power outage closes Salem Public Library early on Wednesday
Update, 3:52 p.m.: Portland General Electric is reporting an estimated restoration time of 5:30 p.m.
Original story below:
The Salem Public Library closed early on Wednesday due to a power outage that impacted around 1,700 Portland General Electric homes and businesses.
The library announced the closure of the main branch around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. It would typically close at 7 p.m.
Hours at the West Salem branch, which closes at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, were not affected. The branch did not have internet connection as of Wednesday afternoon.
The outage began just before noon after a vehicle hit a pole, according to PGE spokesperson Grace Boehm.
“Our crews are working quickly on the repair to have power restored around 3:30 p.m.,” Boehm said in an email to Salem Reporter.
Dispatch records show a crash was reported at 11:47 a.m. near the intersection of South River Road and South Riverdale Road.
According to PGE’s outage map, the affected customers are in central and southwest Salem.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
