Wind Knocks Out Power in Omaha, Cracked Pole Complicates Cleanup

Strong winds toppled a tree onto a power line, leaving some local businesses without electricity for about an hour.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:34am

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Strong winds in Omaha knocked down a power line after a tree struck it along Saddle Creek Road and 50th Street, cutting power to nearby businesses for around an hour. City crews arrived on the scene to address the damage, but a cracked power pole made the cleanup more difficult than expected.

Why it matters

Power outages can significantly disrupt businesses, especially those that rely on electricity to operate. This incident highlights the vulnerability of Omaha's power grid to severe weather events and the challenges utility crews face in restoring service quickly when infrastructure is damaged.

The details

According to the report, the power line was knocked down after a tree fell on it along Saddle Creek Road and 50th Street in Omaha. City crews arrived around 2:45 PM to address the damage. Jess McCallie, the owner of Blue Line Coffee, described the uncertainty that comes with an unexpected power outage and the need to find alternative refrigeration space for perishable items.

  • The incident occurred around 2:45 PM on March 13, 2026.
  • Power was restored to the affected businesses after about an hour.

The players

Jess McCallie

The owner of Blue Line Coffee, a local business affected by the power outage.

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What they’re saying

“There's kinda a time where you're like are we gonna have to haul stuff and find a place a lot of times other restaurants who have power that's kinda the protocol find your friends who have fridge space.”

— Jess McCallie, Owner, Blue Line Coffee (3newsnow.com)

What’s next

Utility crews will likely need to repair the cracked power pole to prevent further outages in the area.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of maintaining a resilient power grid in Omaha, as severe weather events can quickly disrupt businesses and daily life. It also highlights the need for businesses to have emergency plans in place to mitigate the impact of unexpected power outages.