Local

Power outage in northern Mecklenburg Co. caused by squirrel, officials say

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Officials said a power outage Saturday morning affecting about 10,000 customers in northern Mecklenburg County was caused by a squirrel.

The outage, which began at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, was last projected to end by 12:30 p.m. the same day, according to EnergyUnited.

Crews found a squirrel in the Northcross Substation, officials said, which caused the outage. It affected about 10,000 customers in the Huntersville and Cornelius areas.

In a post on Facebook, Huntersville Police said traffic signals were not working. Police instructed residents to treat traffic lights that weren’t operating as a four-way stop. Police updated at 11:30 Saturday morning that power had been restored to the area.

EnergyUnited said they are working to backfeed power to the station and then will energize 8 circuits individually.

(WATCH BELOW: Will your heat bill cost you more this year?)