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SALT LAKE CITY — A storm caused power outages across the Salt Lake Valley overnight. Rocky Mountain Power said at one point more than 1,800 customers in Salt Lake City were without power Tuesday morning.
Crews are working to repair equipment and only small pockets of outages remain.
One of the outages that hit around midnight affected between 200 to 300 customers, including the Hogle Zoo. Craig Dinsmore, executive director at the zoo, said, "We have close to 700 animals at the zo,o and this is a very localized, isolated spot. In the immediate area there aren't many animals, maybe a couple dozen in the general area. Luckily they were never at risk from this incident."
A main power pole behind the zoo at 2600 Sunnyside Avenue shorted out as a result of the storm, knocking out power to some nearby homes, as well. The zoo has generators in case of power outages, but fortunately the power there was restored by about 5:30 a.m.
"We face kind of the same problems that people face in their home," Dinsmore said. "You worry about your perishable foods and your lights not coming on and to walk around in the dark."
Salt Lake City police and firefighters assisted the zoo staff until power was restored. Some officers are now monitoring intersections that remain without power.
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