A powerful blizzard is battering the Northland of Minnesota, bringing with it widespread power outages affecting more than 5,000 homes as of Wednesday evening. The outages span several counties, impacting customers of Minnesota Power, Lake Country Power and Cooperate Light & Power. Utility crews are working to restore electricity, but challenging conditions are expected to hamper those efforts throughout the night and into Thursday.
The storm, which arrived Tuesday, has already brought strong winds that are toppling trees and branches, contributing significantly to the power disruptions. The hardest-hit areas appear to be located between Duluth and Hibbing, according to initial reports. The timing of the storm coincides with a period of extremely cold temperatures, raising concerns for residents without heat.
Power Outage Details and Restoration Efforts
As of 7:26 p.m. Wednesday, Lake Country Power reported approximately 1,300 homes without power, while Minnesota Power estimated around 300 affected households. Customers can check the status of outages and report new ones through the following resources:
Crews from both utilities are actively working to restore power, but progress is expected to be slow given the ongoing blizzard conditions. Strong winds and heavy snowfall are making it tough to assess damage and safely conduct repairs.
School Closures and Travel Disruptions
The impact of the blizzard extends beyond power outages. Superior Schools have announced they will be closed on Thursday, February 19, 2026, due to the hazardous conditions. City crews in Superior are working through the night to clear main roads, prioritizing essential travel routes.
In Duluth, Mayor Emily Larson has urged residents to stay off the roads tonight and tomorrow if possible, to allow plows to effectively clear the streets. Duluth’s road crews will begin full operations at 2 a.m. Thursday, focusing on primary roadways. Multiple flights have been canceled in and out of Duluth International Airport (DLH) due to the severe weather.
Impact on Transportation
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has issued a travel advisory for northeastern Minnesota, warning of whiteout conditions and treacherous roadways. Visibility is severely limited in many areas, and travel is strongly discouraged. Motorists who must travel are advised to exercise extreme caution, reduce speed, and allow for extra travel time.
Preparing for Extended Outages
With the blizzard expected to continue through Thursday, residents are being advised to prepare for potentially extended power outages. Minnesota Power offers resources for new customers, including information on starting service and registering for MyAccount, an online tool for managing energy usage and payments. However, the immediate focus is on safety and weathering the storm.
Lake Country Power, a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, serves nearly 43,000 members across eight counties in northern Minnesota, including Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine, and St. Louis. Minnesota Power provides electricity to a 26,000-square-mile service territory in northeastern Minnesota.
The next update from Minnesota Power and Lake Country Power regarding restoration efforts is expected Thursday morning. Residents are encouraged to monitor the outage maps and local news for the latest information.
Have you been affected by the power outages or the blizzard? Share your experiences and information in the comments below.
