Power Outage between Broadway & Cherry

From our friends at the Tribune:

A lightning strike or heavy rain is believed to be the cause of a downtown Columbia power outage that could last throughout much of the day Tuesday.

Columbia Water and Light crews are working to repair a large transformer that went out overnight, spokeswoman Connie Kacprowicz said. The outage left 27 downtown customers without power between Broadway and Cherry streets, affecting several businesses and apartments.
Outages began around 9 p.m. Monday, and crews worked to reset the transformer. Power returned but went out permanently around 4 a.m.

Replacement of the transformer may not be completed until 6 p.m., Kacprowicz said. Eighth Street between Broadway and Cherry will be closed as crews work there.