Power companies report widespread outages

Widespread power outages have been reported across Linn and Johnson counties.

About 41,000 Alliant Energy customers in Cedar Rapids are without power as of 7:30 p.m., a company spokeswoman said Monday.

Crews are already en route to assess the damage, but weather is hampering crews from making repairs. Crews are estimating it may be 24 to 48 hours before power is restored.

'If the wind can knock over a tree, it can certainly knock over a power line,” said Alliant spokeswoman Heather Holmes.

Holmes said customers should call in power outages to help Alliant pinpoint where the outages are. 'Don't assume your neighbor did it,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of safety. Customers should never walk into a flooded home or building until the electricity is disconnected, should avoid walking in flooded backyards if water is touching ground-mounted electrical transformers or other utility equipment, and should never touch fallen power lines.

Meanwhile Linn County Rurral Electric Cooperative reported that 4,427 customers in Linn County and 960 customers in Johnson County were without power on Monday afternoon. MidAmerican Energy reported that 915 customers in Iowa City and 2,102 customers in Waterloo were without power.

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