Windstorm hits North Idaho
A large fallen tree rests against a building by the intersection of Foster Avenue and First Street in Coeur d'Alene.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Part of a tree toppled by strong winds rests on the ground in front of a Coeur d'Alene home on Thursday morning.
BILL BULEY/Press
Crews remove a fallen tree from Front Street on Thursday morning. The tree just missed a home.
BILL BULEY/Press
Kootenai Electric Cooperative crews drop a branch from a fallen tree during cleanup after an early morning windstorm Thursday.
Photo courtesy of Kootenai Electric Cooperative
A man cuts down part of a tree that fell on a home on Selkirk Avenue in Post Falls during the early morning Thursday during the windstorm.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
A windstorm knocked down trees and tossed debris around North Idaho early Thursday.
Avista reported 527 active outages early Thursday affecting 34,612 customers.
There were no reports of injuries.
Strong winds with gusts up to 60-70 mph hit parts of the region, along with heavy snowfall in higher elevations. In addition, significant snowfall was expected in the mountains, with up to 2–3 feet of snow forecast overnight at Lookout Pass.
Idaho Transportation Department officials said crews across the region responded quickly to the storm.
Avista said it monitored the National Weather Service forecasts closely. Crews were ready with fueled and stocked fleet vehicles; warehouse supplies were in place in Spokane and outer offices.
According to the National Weather Service, today's conditions will be milder, with a 50 percent chance of snow, highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s, and west winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
For updated road conditions throughout the storm, visit 511.idaho.gov.
Part of a tree toppled by strong winds rests on the ground in front of a Coeur d'Alene home on Thursday morning.
Crews remove a fallen tree from Front Street on Thursday morning. The tree just missed a home.
Kootenai Electric Cooperative crews drop a branch from a fallen tree during cleanup after an early morning windstorm on Thursday.
A man cuts down part of a tree that fell on a home on Selkirk Avenue in Post Falls during the early morning Thursday during the windstorm.