Crews worked tirelessly to restore power following the devastating storm on June 20. (OTPCO)
Fergus Falls, MN – Edison Electric Institute (EEI) presented Otter Tail Power Company with the association’s Emergency Response Award for the company’s restoration efforts during and after a devastating storm hit parts of the company’s service area on June 20, 2025.
In the late hours of June 20, a powerful storm swept through the company’s region, sending neighborhoods into darkness and leaving behind a path of widespread damage. The storm brought torrential rainfall—more than six inches in some areas—and hailstones up to four inches in diameter. It triggered at least 32 tornadoes, including an EF3 near Enderlin, North Dakota, with wind speeds reaching 160 miles per hour. Gusts were up to 126 miles per hour near Lake Bemidji, Minnesota.
The storm caused significant damage to infrastructure and communities. The hardest hit included the Wilton and Tuttle areas in central North Dakota; the Jamestown, Page, and Sheldon areas in east central North Dakota; and the Bemidji area on the eastern edge of the company’s Minnesota service territory. Approximately 42,500 Otter Tail Power customers, or 30%, experienced outages, making this one of the largest restoration efforts in the company’s history.
The storm’s impact went far beyond utility infrastructure, destroying homes and businesses and tragically claiming lives. “We can only imagine how difficult it was to be without power, especially in the heat and humidity that followed,” said Otter Tail Power President Tim Rogelstad. “Some customers endured multiple days without electricity, struggling to stay connected with loved ones, managing disrupted routines, and taking on the overwhelming task of cleaning up storm damage. During this time our team members across departments contributed more than 16,500 hours to the restoration effort, working long days and nights to bring function and comfort back to homes and businesses.”
According to EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney, EEI is proud to recognize Otter Tail Power for its extraordinary response efforts. “This recovery award reflects Otter Tail Power and its team’s incredible commitment to the customers and communities they serve,” he said.
“In the days following the storm, our customers’ support meant the world to our teams,” said Rogelstad. “Thoughtful gestures and kind words poured in. Community members bought, prepared, and delivered meals to our crews, and messages of encouragement filled our social media and website. Shared prayers for safety, notes of gratitude, and uplifting comments gave our teams a boost as they completed this hard work. Our crews were deeply moved by every kind word, every honk, and every wave from the curb as they worked to restore power. And I’m immensely proud of how our people responded with urgency, compassion, and grit. Whether restoring power in the field or supporting operations behind the scenes, every employee played a vital role. We’re deeply grateful to our communities, emergency responders, and partner crews for their kindness and collaboration. Thank you to everyone who weathered the storm with us.”
Presented to EEI member companies twice a year, this award recognizes recovery and assistance efforts following service disruptions caused by extreme weather or other natural events. A panel of judges chose the winners following an international nomination process.
Story courtesy of Otter Tail Power Company.
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