UPDATE: Thousands remain without power in the Quad Cities region following severe wind and rain that battered the area Thursday night. Avista Utilities and Clearwater Power Company crews are urgently working to restore services, with officials confirming that more than 5,300 customers are still affected as of Friday morning.
The situation is critical in Latah County, where over 1,000 customers are still in the dark, according to Avista’s outage map. Winds reaching up to 80 mph caused extensive damage, bringing down trees and power lines across the region. As restoration efforts continue, Avista spokesperson David Vowels stated that crews are making progress, but many residents are still impacted.
Schools are also affected, with the Troy School District and Whitepine School District closed again today due to ongoing power outages. Parents and students are facing uncertainty as the storms have disrupted daily routines and access to education.
Both utility companies are advising residents to check their websites for real-time outage maps and estimated restoration times, which range from today through Sunday. Clearwater Power has reported that their linemen and engineers are actively working in areas north of Moscow and east toward Troy, as well as in Orofino and Craigmont.
In response to the devastation, the Latah County Commissioners declared a local disaster emergency on Wednesday, highlighting the severity of the storm’s impact. This declaration paves the way for potential state and federal assistance in recovery efforts.
Residents are reminded to stay safe and avoid downed power lines. Avista and Clearwater Power are committed to restoring power as quickly as possible, with updates being sent via email to customers still without service.
As the situation remains fluid, officials urge everyone to prepare for possible extended outages and to stay informed through local news and utility updates.
Stay tuned for further developments as crews continue their crucial work to restore power and normalcy to the region.
