ARTESIA POWER OUTAGE: Traffic Collision Causes Widespread Power Outage, Road Closures, and Disruptions to Hospital Operations
A devastating traffic collision occurred late Thursday night, November 15, 2024, in Artesia, resulting in damage to electricity lines and a subsequent power outage that affected the entire city. The incident happened near the intersection of N. 13th Street and Mahone at the bridge on the north side of town.
According to the Artesia Police Department, the collision involved a single vehicle and resulted in significant damage to the electricity lines, leading to a power outage that impacted the entire city. The road leading to Memorial Drive at Artesia General Hospital was closed due to the incident.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the Artesia Police Department announced that the road would be closed for an unspecified amount of time while crews worked to restore power to the area. The department advised motorists to use alternative routes, including North 16 Street and Bowman Drive, as well as North 7th and 8th streets, to reroute traffic.
Deputies from the Crash and Reconstruction unit of the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident and plan to release additional information on Friday as part of their inquiry. Details regarding the number of occupants in the vehicle, whether anyone was injured, the type of vehicle involved, and the cause of the collision have not been released.
Artesia General Hospital reported that hospital operations and access to the main campus on North 13th Street have been significantly impacted due to the power outage and road closure. The hospital advised that the entrance to the hospital can be accessed by turning into Memorial Drive from 10th Street.
The power outage and road closures have caused significant disruptions to daily life in Artesia, with many residents and businesses affected by the incident. The cause of the collision is still unknown, and an investigation is ongoing.
