Nampa and Caldwell Power Outage: Thousands Affected by October 23 Electrical Disruption
A widespread power outage disrupted electricity services across parts of Caldwell and neighbouring communities, including areas around Nampa, Idaho, on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The outage affected homes, businesses, traffic signals and public facilities, prompting a response from Idaho Power and local authorities. The interruption began overnight after weather-related equipment problems affected two of Idaho Power’s transmission structures.
Idaho Power Reports Restoration Progress
Idaho Power dispatched crews to investigate the equipment problem and restore electricity to affected customers.
In an update shared through the City of Caldwell, the utility reported that more than 8,000 customers had regained power, including the local hospital. The company also said it was coordinating with community safety partners and critical facilities.
At the time of that update, Idaho Power estimated that electricity would be restored to the remaining affected customers by approximately 2 p.m. Friday. That was an estimated restoration time rather than a guarantee for every property.
Traffic Signals and Road Safety Disruptions
The outage also affected traffic-control systems at several intersections in the Caldwell-Nampa area.
Reports identified non-operational signals at Karcher Road and Indiana Avenue, as well as Karcher Road and 10th Avenue. Canyon County Sheriff’s deputies were reported to be assisting with traffic management.
Idaho Power advised motorists to treat dark or flashing traffic signals as four-way stops unless emergency responders directed them otherwise.
School and Municipal Disruptions
The outage also affected local public services. Three Vallivue School District schools were closed for the day:
- Vallivue High School
- Vallivue Middle School
- Falcon Ridge Elementary School
Caldwell municipal facilities, including City Hall and the public library, were also reported to have experienced power-related disruption.
What Caused the Outage?
Idaho Power attributed the interruption to a weather-related equipment issue involving two transmission structures. The company did not provide further technical details in its initial public update.
The October 23 incident demonstrates how problems affecting electricity infrastructure can disrupt essential services beyond residential power supply.
The outage was a historical incident, and this report does not indicate that a new widespread electrical failure is occurring in Nampa or Caldwell on November 10, 2026.