Cheyenne Battered by 90 MPH Wind Gusts, Causing Power Outages

High winds lead to over 100 power outages affecting thousands in the city

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:09pm

Powerful winds have caused widespread power outages in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with gusts reaching up to 90 mph - the highest recorded at the Cheyenne Regional Airport in three decades. Black Hills Energy has deployed extra crews to address downed power lines and ensure public safety, as the utility company deals with over 100 outages affecting more than 7,000 customers.

Why it matters

Extreme wind events can pose significant risks to public safety and infrastructure, leading to power outages, property damage, and transportation disruptions. This storm highlights the need for utility companies and local authorities to be prepared to respond quickly and effectively to such weather emergencies.

The details

According to Black Hills Energy, the utility company has been working to restore power and address downed power lines throughout the day. The Cheyenne National Weather Service reported that the airport sensor recorded a peak wind gust of 90 mph, the highest in three decades. Cheyenne police have also activated the city's accident alert system, advising drivers to exercise caution on the roads due to the pending dust storm.

  • As of 3:40 p.m. on March 12, 2026, Black Hills Energy was dealing with 114 power outages affecting over 7,000 people.
  • The Cheyenne Regional Airport recorded the strongest wind gust in three decades.

The players

Black Hills Energy

The utility company responsible for providing power to Cheyenne and surrounding areas, which has deployed extra crews to address the power outages caused by the high winds.

Cheyenne National Weather Service

The local weather service that reported the record-breaking 90 mph wind gust at the Cheyenne Regional Airport.

Cheyenne Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that has activated the city's accident alert system, advising drivers to exercise caution on the roads due to the wind storm.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Crews have been busy all day dealing with downed power lines, with extra crews deployed for the wind emergency.”

— Laurie Farkas, Spokeswoman, Black Hills Energy

“The Cheyenne Airport sensor reached 90 mph with this windstorm, which is the highest recorded at this station since reasonable wind data have been tracked (early-mid 1990s).”

— Kara Gillespie

What’s next

Black Hills Energy will continue to work to restore power and address any remaining downed power lines, while the Cheyenne Police Department will monitor the roads and provide updates on the accident alert system.

The takeaway

This wind storm serves as a reminder of the importance of utility companies and local authorities being prepared to respond quickly and effectively to extreme weather events, which can have significant impacts on public safety and infrastructure. Residents should also be aware of the safety precautions to take during power outages and high-wind conditions.