Divide / Burke Counties: More than 1,600 electric poles downed following blizzard

(Divide / Burke, ND) -- Several hundred Pole Service workers are being sent to the northwestern corner of the state in an attempt to bring power back to more than 1,500 people.

The announcement comes from Burke/Divide Electric Co-Op Manager Jerry King, who says around 1,650 poles and 1,200 meters of power lines are inoperable. He says the "few hundred" Pole Service workers will be in Divide and Burke Counties by the middle of next week. King says the delay comes from the difficulty of travel within the region.

In the meantime, King asks families and friends to help each other during the emergency. You can learn more about the emergency declaration by clicking here.