A significant portion of downtown Omaha experienced a power outage lasting several hours on Thursday due to a peculiar incident involving a garbage truck and a sinkhole. The incident unfolded around 8 a.m. when a garbage truck found itself trapped in a sinkhole, causing a disruption in the area. The sinkhole, which measured over 10 feet in depth, had exposed utility lines, adding to the complexity of the situation.
City Engineer Austin Rowser highlighted that there had been prior concerns regarding the alley where the sinkhole emerged, prompting officials to install a barricade to prevent vehicles from entering. Unfortunately, the driver of the Waste Management trash truck decided to move the barricade and proceed through the alley, leading to the truck getting stuck.
Following the mishap, the Omaha Public Power District and Metropolitan Utilities District took swift action by cutting off electricity and gas services in the vicinity to assess the situation. The removal of the garbage truck was successfully completed by early afternoon, allowing for the restoration of power to the affected area. However, natural gas services remained suspended as a precautionary measure while the gas lines were inspected for any potential damage.
