Half of City of Ames electric customers lost power Tuesday afternoon due to a construction accident, a release from the City of Ames said.

The power cut out about 4 p.m. but power was rerouted leaving customers in the dark for only about 20 minutes. 

Another utility working near the Des Moines tie-in line between Ames and Ankeny disrupted power, the release said.

Ames Electric Services was using power from the tie-in line while the city was conducting maintenance at the Ames Power Plant. After the power outage was reported Ames re-routed power through the Boone tie-in line. The other tie-in line was expected to go through repairs and resume power supply late Tuesday, a transition that customers wouldn't notice. 

Anyone needed to report a power outage should call Ames Electric Services automated system at 515-239-5240. Customers with cell phones can call Customer Service during the day to associate their number with their billing address by calling 515-239-5120.