Power outage affects Brainerd and Baxter

Just as many were preparing to end the work day and start the weekend, a piece of equipment that protects the power line from lightning failed Friday disrupting the everyday flow.

Homes, businesses and intersection signal lights across Brainerd and Baxter went dark.

The power outage lasted from about 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. It started in a Brainerd alley behind Southwest Fifth and Sixth streets, the Brainerd Public Utilities reported.

Power was out for west Brainerd and parts of south Brainerd, including the Buffalo Hills area, and a small part of southeast Brainerd. The power outage extended into the Baxter commercial area.

Law enforcement directed traffic along busy intersections clogged with rush-hour traffic. But even with the volume of vehicles, traffic appeared to be moving through intersections quickly given the limitations. Squad cars and officers staffed heavily traveled spots, from Washington and Northwest Fourth streets to the intersection of Highways 371 and 210.