Crews worked throughout the day to assess widespread damage and restore power outages caused by Wednesday’s severe windstorm. These efforts continue as additional damage and outage incidents are identified.
At the height of the storm, wind speeds surpassed those recorded during the historic 2015 event, leaving approximately 80,000 Avista electric customers without power. As of 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, about 43,895 customers remain without service, with more than 968 unique outage incidents reported.
All available resources are deployed, including 45 line crews (each with approximately four linemen), six contract line crews, and 40 vegetation management crews. In addition, 17 contract crews from outside the area are arriving to support restoration efforts.
The storm damaged both transmission and distribution systems, primarily due to trees contacting power lines and bringing wires down. Crews are working through downed trees, debris, and rugged terrain in some areas, which adds complexity to assessing the full scope of the damage. These ongoing assessments and repairs will take time.
Avista will share estimated restoration times and will continue to update as additional assessments are completed. Today (Thur), helicopter patrols will assist by inspecting transmission lines that remain out of service. These aerial assessments were difficult to conduct on Wednesday due to prolonged high winds, but they will provide critical information needed to determine restoration timelines.
“We appreciate our customers’ patience as we work to assess damage, restore power, and provide estimated restoration times for those affected by this unprecedented and challenging storm,” said Heather Rosentrater, Avista president and CEO. “Given the extent of the damage, some customers may be without power for several days, and we encourage them to prepare accordingly. We understand how difficult and frustrating this uncertainty can be, and we remain committed to restoring power as quickly and safely as possible.”
Avista is encouraging customers to be prepared for extended outages and make arrangements for resources as needed.
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Avista’s restoration process and approach
Avista restores power by focusing first on critical infrastructure, such as transmission lines and substations, and emergency facilities like hospitals. These efforts may not be as visible to customers because of the location of this infrastructure, but they remain a priority.
Once critical customers and transmission lines are restored, crews work to repairs distribution feeder lines that serve larger groups of customers. This will leave some customers may remain without power while their neighbors have been restored. Crews will return to address individual outages in neighborhoods, so customers may see service people multiple times. While restoration work may not always be visible, crews are working around the clock as quickly and as safely as possible.
Safety during an outage
We want our customers to stay safe. Trees have brought down a significant number of power lines. Customers should treat all power lines as energized. Customers should stay away from downed power lines, not attempt to remove limbs from downed or sagging power lines, and should not drive over power lines. If customers see a downed power line, call 911 immediately and then Avista at (800) 227-9187.
Avista suggests customers take the following steps during an outage:
- Turn off all the appliances that were on before the power went out.
- Unplug electronic equipment, including computers.
- Leave a light or radio on as an alert when power has been restored.
- Help Avista crews working in a neighborhood know which homes have power by turning on the front porch light.
- Do not wire an emergency generator into a home’s electrical system, unless there is a disconnect switch to separate generated power from Avista’s distribution system. Back feed into power lines could injure or kill a lineman working to get electricity restored.
- Use a generator only to run specific appliances and locate it outside so poisonous carbon monoxide fumes do not enter the home.
What customers can do
Customers can report a power outage online or through their mobile device at www.myavista.com/outage or by calling (800) 227-9187. They can also download the mobile app for reporting. Registered customers can also text OUT to AVISTA (284-782) or STAT to get current status.
To register, text REG to AVISTA (284-782). The phone number must match the number on the account.
Updated outage status information, including estimated restoration times when known, is also available on the outage map.
Customers can also follow Avista’s Facebook and X accounts for updates.
Customers can aid in the restoration process by checking their service equipment for damage. Repairs to this equipment must be made by a licensed electrician before Avista can safely restore power. Customers can look for a bent or pulled-away overhead mast causing wires to hang, a broken fitting where wires connect to the electric meter, and burned or damaged meter sockets. The mast is usually located on the roof, where electric service connects from the power pole to the home.
