More than a million residents lost power when a massive and powerful wind storm walloped the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Local news reports indicate that wind speeds reached 119 mph in parts of Washington and Idaho, and at least four people lost their lives due to falling trees and debris. The National Weather Service reported that the storm has resulted in the most extensive power outages in the region’s history. According to the utility company, Avista, 70% of its customers in the Spokane area were without power on Wednesday night.
PG&E promptly dispatched a dozen GC crews, comprised of Local 1245 members, to assist in the restoration. They left for Spokane on Thursday at 4am, arrived on Friday, and immediately went to work helping Avista restore power to hundreds of thousands of customers in the Spokane area. Some of the mutual aid crews were subsequently dispatched to Avista’s Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho yard.
As of late Sunday night, tens of thousands of residents were still without power and heat, with temperatures dipping below freezing and a snow storm looming in the forecast. Avista estimates that 123 crews from various utilities will be on the property by Monday morning in an effort to bring power back up as quickly as possible.
Photos by Kyle Whitman
A PG&E crew works to repair a fallen power pole in Idaho
A PG&E crew works to repair a fallen power pole in Idaho
The wind took out this pole and line in Idaho
PG&E crews at work on back yard easements on the South Hill of Spokane
PG&E crews an early morning tailboard in Spokane
Surveying the damage
PG&E, 2015
A PG&E crew gets ready to close a cutout
PG&E crews at work on back yard easements on the South Hill of Spokane, 2015
PG&E crews at work on back yard easements on the South Hill of Spokane
PG&E crews at work on back yard easements on the South Hill of Spokane
Fallen trees caused massive outages in the Spokane area
Lineman Chris Baldridge, PG&E 2915