Snakes caused a minimum of four power outages throughout just 8 days in Franklin, Tennessee. Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) states snakes are climbing up into the Henpeck substation, onto stimulated devices, and electrocuting themselves. Then, the surrounding areas lose power.
This is not normal. In an interview with regional news, Larry Rose, MTE communications and marketing director, states one manager he talked with can just remember 2 other times this has happened over his 20-year profession. And yet, in just over a week, it’s taken place four times.
“Wildlife guards and snake repellent have not worked,” MTE composed in an e-mail to its consumers. MTE stated its next step is speaking with wildlife officials for more ideas on how to keep snakes away from the substation.
The majority of the snakes discovered at the substation have been gray rat snakes. No one knows why they’ve suddenly decided to attempt to wriggle onto MTE’s devices, especially considering they’re now utilizing three kinds of snake repellent in the location.
MTE also shared a video of a snake triggering a power outage in realtime: Team are keeping an eye on the area for snakes during daytime hours and eliminating
them from damage’s method by returning them to surrounding wooded areas. Snakes triggered 4 power blackouts over the course of simply eight days in Franklin, Tennessee
. The regional utility states this is extraordinary.