After the storm: A heartfelt thank you to our customers and communities

It’s been a few weeks since the June storm swept through our region, but the impact remains fresh in our minds. Many of you are likely still in the thick of recovery—clearing fallen trees, repairing damaged property, and navigating the long road back to normal.

A storm to remember
In the late hours of June 20, 2025, a powerful storm swept through our region, sending neighborhoods into darkness and leaving behind a path of widespread damage. The storm brought torrential rainfall—more than six inches in some areas—and hailstones up to four inches in diameter. It triggered at least 32 tornadoes, including an EF3 near Enderlin, North Dakota, with wind speeds reaching 160 miles per hour, and gusts up to 126 miles per hour near Lake Bemidji, Minnesota.

The storm caused significant damage to our infrastructure and communities. The hardest hit included the Wilton and Tuttle areas in central North Dakota; the Jamestown, Page, and Sheldon areas in east central North Dakota; and the Bemidji area on the eastern edge of our Minnesota territory.

Roughly 42,500 of our customers, or 30%, experienced outages, making this one of the largest restoration efforts in our company’s history.

*Numbers are preliminary as of date

Recognizing the challenges you faced
The storm’s impact went far beyond poles and wires. It destroyed homes and businesses and, tragically, claimed seven lives.

We can only imagine how difficult it was to be without power for so long, especially in the heat and humidity that followed. Many of you endured multiple days without electricity— facing extreme temperatures without air conditioning or running water, struggling to stay connected with loved ones, managing disrupted routines, and taking on the overwhelming task of cleaning up storm damage.

Appreciating your support
In the days following the storm, your support meant the world to our teams. Thoughtful gestures and kind words poured in. Community members bought, prepared, and delivered meals to our crews, and messages of encouragement filled our social media and website (see the short clip below for some of our favorites).

Your shared prayers for safety, notes of gratitude, and uplifting comments reminded us why we do this work. Our crews were deeply moved by every kind word, every honk, and every wave from the curb as they worked to restore power. 

We’re also grateful to the local emergency responders, contractors, and partner companies who stepped in to help. More than 50 contractor crews—including teams from Montana-Dakota Utilities, Mountainside Power, and Karian Peterson Power Line Contracting—joined our restoration efforts and played a vital role in helping us bring power back to our communities. We couldn’t have done this alone.

The power of people 
In the aftermath of the storm, employees from every corner of our company came together with one shared goal: to restore your power as quickly, safely, and efficiently as possible. The storm’s intensity overwhelmed emergency services, and downed lines, blocked roads, and communication outages complicated access to affected areas—especially in rural communities. 

Lineworkers, engineers, dispatchers, customer service representatives, and team members across departments contributed more than 16,500 hours to the restoration effort—working long days and nights to bring light and comfort back to your homes and businesses.

“This storm disrupted lives and routines in ways none of us could’ve anticipated, and we know the past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for many of you,” said President Tim Rogelstad. “In the face of such widespread damage, words often fall short. But please know how deeply we appreciated your patience during this challenging time, and the support you extended to our crews. Even through your own frustration and loss, you still found ways to show kindness, which means more than we can say.”  

We’re proud to serve you
To everyone who weathered the storm with us: thank you. Your strength, grace, and generosity remind us why we do what we do. We’re honored to serve you, and proud to stand with you—no matter the weather.