For some, business as usual despite outage

Just as winter was about to end pleasantly, it had to remind the Hi-Line of what it could do, which prompted the people of the Hi-Line to show what they are made of.

During the blackout, which lasted about six hours in Havre and much longer in other areas, many businesses and organizations were shut down, but a few stayed open with the help of generators or, in some cases, just willpower.

According to Northern Montana Hospital spokesperson Kristi Shettel, the storm didn't present too much of a problem.

"The hospital fared well, " Shettel said. "We are always prepared for situations like the one we encountered yesterday.

"We were on emergency backup power until electricity was restored around 4:30 p. m. All critical services were sustained during the outage. "

A few of the surrounding clinics did close Monday, but are open again today.

Most businesses closed for the day, including Kmart, Walmart and numerous gas stations, but some, including Murphy's Pub and 15 West tried to accommodate their apparently dedicated customers.

"People expect us to provide for them, that's all I can say, " Darren Freeman, who was working at Murphy's during the blackout, said.

Many people in the area are still dealing with the blackout as NorthWestern Energy and Hill County Electric Cooperative continue to get everyone hooked back up.

Bob and Edna Kuhn live five miles east of Havre on U. S. Highway 2, where their house still had no power this morning.

Despite having no electricity for nearly 24 hours, Bob displayed a very positive attitude this morning. He said he had called the energy company, and they were going to "be out soon. "

Until then, he and his wife were "playing a little cards, making coffee and tea. We're doing OK. "

He said they can handle the inconvenience that is not as rare east of Havre as it is in Havre.

"I'll bet you we're out of power out on the east end of Havre about a dozen times a year, " Kuhn said. "It's just something that goes on. It's OK.

"It's good moisture, so it looks good to me. "