Electricity Problems in Winter? (Helena: versus, deal, companies)

[ChoozeJoy]

Just moved to Helena. Is power going out in the winter a problem around here? We have only baseboard heat and are wondering if we need to get a backup source.

[ladyflyfsh]

I've never had a problem in the winter...that is usually more of a summer thing with lightning storms etc.

[MTer]

Originally Posted by ChoozeJoy

Just moved to Helena. Is power going out in the winter a problem around here? We have only baseboard heat and are wondering if we need to get a backup source.

Why would it be? Electricity going out is no more a problem in Montana cities than anywhere else in the country. Anywhere if snow/ice get on lines, there may be outages, but MT generally has much drier snow than the midwest and eastern US have, so snow on lines is less of a problem. Soggy snow or ice may occur in spring and fall, but again, they're much more likely in other parts of the country than in MT. And in general, MT has fewer t-storms than much of the country does. And in recent years, Helena really hasn't had any big snows either.

Lastly, MT knows how to deal with snow. Most people know how to drive in it, the govt agencies have enough equipment to keep roads clear, the utility companies are prepared for it, and so on. Versus, say, places like Dallas (not picking on Dallas, but I was there when it snowed one Easter) where the city and residents basically panicked, shutting everything down, with one to a few inches of snow. They're just not prepared for it, while MT is.

So you shouldn't have any unusual problems in Helena, though weather can cause outages and other problems anywhere.

[ChoozeJoy]

I have gathered by the confused looks on people's faces when I've asked that it's not a big problem. We just moved from the country in NC where the electricty goes out a lot. In the summer because of storms and in the winter because of ice. And at all other times for what appears to be no good reason at all. We were on a private well which makes lack of power a big inconvenience.

Thanks for all the info!