Mother nature and humans collided again Saturday when a bird at the Henryetta PSO substation knocked off power to most of Okmulgee County and part of McIntosh.
PSO officials said the bird tripped a switch between transformers at the substation that shut electrical service down to nearly 5,000 consumers. That meant home and business air conditioners were down for two and a half hours.
By 2:30, workers were able to eliminate the problem and restore service.
For several businesses, that completely shut down their operations as computerized cash registers were unable to take money and customers had to wait in rapidly heating stores.
Motorists saw problems with stop lights out and police spent the hottest part of the day directing traffic.
According to PSO, birds are a major problem for utility companies. In addition to colliding with overhead structors and conductors, they contaminate insulators and equipment.