A powerful windstorm has left nearly 100,000 people in the dark across the Spokane region, highlighting the vulnerability of our infrastructure to extreme weather events.
As the sun rose on a blustery morning, the Inland Northwest braced for the worst. By 9:30 a.m., a staggering number of residents found themselves without power, a stark reminder of the impact severe weather can have on our daily lives.
The Battle Against the Elements: A Tale of Resilience and Restoration
The region had been on high alert since the early hours, with outages steadily increasing since 4:30 a.m. when just over a thousand customers were affected. However, utility companies sprang into action, gradually restoring power in some areas.
Meteorologist Daniel Butler from the National Weather Service reported that the worst of the windstorm had passed through Spokane by 7:30 a.m., moving into western Montana. The region was still bracing for wind gusts as high as 55 mph throughout the morning, with the wind expected to ease to around 20 mph by evening.
A high wind warning was issued by the weather service, effective until 4 p.m.
Avista spokesman David Vowels emphasized the challenge, stating that work crews were assessing the damage, but it was unclear when power would be fully restored.
"We are fully staffed and are working as quickly as possible to assess the situation," Vowels said.
The impact of the windstorm was evident in the record-breaking wind speeds recorded. Spokane International Airport measured a gust of 75 mph, which, if verified, would be a new record, surpassing the previous high of 71 mph recorded in 2021 and 2015. Felts Field in east Spokane also recorded a substantial gust of 67 mph.
Spokane Fire spokesman Justin De Ruyter described a busy morning, with the agency responding to numerous calls across the city, primarily involving downed trees and power lines. He anticipated more calls as the region woke up and daylight revealed the full extent of the damage.
"It's been a busy hour or so, but thankfully, nothing catastrophic," De Ruyter said.
De Ruyter advised Spokane residents to use their discretion when reporting downed trees or power lines. If a power line poses an immediate risk, residents should call 911. Other power line issues, such as a tree leaning on a line, can be reported to Avista at (800) 227-9187. Trees blocking city roadways can be reported by dialing 311.
"We want to ensure the safety of our community, but we also don't want to overload our emergency services with non-critical issues," he added.
The city of Spokane reported on social media that four major roads were blocked by fallen trees: Bernard Street between 22nd and 26th avenues, Cowley Street at Eighth Avenue, Boone Avenue at Cowley, and Green Street at Marshall Avenue.
Power Outages and Impact
As of 10 a.m., the power outages affected a significant portion of the region:
- Avista Utilities: 67,700 customers without power, down from 77,400 at 7:55 a.m.
- Inland Power: 13,100 customers affected, a decrease from 14,400 at 8:15 a.m. Inland's outages accounted for nearly 30% of their customer base.
- Northern Lights: Over half of their customers in Bonner and Boundary counties were without power, with 8,500 in Bonner and 2,100 in Boundary.
- Kootenai Electric Cooperative: 7,300 customers affected.
- Pend Oreille Public Utility District: 1,700 customers without power, down from 2,500 at 9:30 a.m.
Palouse and Beyond
The impact of the windstorm extended beyond Spokane. Equipment at the Lewiston and Moscow-Pullman airports recorded the region's highest wind gusts, at 84 and 81 mph, respectively.
Two semi-trucks were blown over on Highway 195 near Colton, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Pullman, a town in the Palouse region, experienced significant damage, with trees down on over a dozen streets and numerous power lines affected. Residents were urged to exercise extreme caution and report any issues to Avista and the local authorities.
The windstorm even caused two stoplights to fail at the intersection of Spring and Main streets in Pullman. Both the Pullman School District and Washington State University delayed their starts by two hours on Tuesday morning due to the adverse weather conditions.
As the region begins the process of recovery and restoration, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather events.
But here's where it gets controversial... How well-prepared do you think we are for such events? Do you think our infrastructure can withstand the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
