Broken Bow explosion, fire cause extended power outage in sub-zero weather

BROKEN BOW, Neb. - An explosion at the Broken Bow Municipal Power Plant early Thursday morning caused widespread power outages as the region faced extreme cold. According to an official statement from the City of Broken Bow, the explosion occurred at approximately 6:17 a.m. at the facility on South B Street. Two city employees inside at the time sustained minor injuries and were transported to Melham Medical Center for evaluation.

City officials held a press conference later in the day, detailing the efforts to restore power. They confirmed that the explosion severely damaged electrical infrastructure, leaving much of the city without service. Utility crews worked to reroute power, restoring service to most areas, but some neighborhoods remained without electricity as of Thursday evening. Officials also noted that the blast affected the city’s water system controls, requiring manual operation to maintain service.

In response, Mayor Rod Sonnichsen signed an emergency declaration to mobilize additional resources. The city opened emergency shelters at North Park Elementary School and Third City Christian Church for residents needing warmth and assistance. Authorities urged residents to avoid the area around the power plant while emergency crews assessed the damage and worked to stabilize the situation.