The City of Spokane and Avista prepares for tree damage, power outages and difficult driving conditions from severe wind storm and urges citizens to stay safe.
SPOKANE, Wash. — The City of Spokane has activated its inclement weather plan to prepare for the forecasted wind storm with gusts of 50-65 miles per hour. The storm is expected to last Wednesday night and continue through Thursday morning. This brings the potential for tree damage, power outages and difficult driving conditions.
City of Spokane first responders and Street and Parks crews are preparing to respond to reports of damage and calls for assistance. The city has also helped local shelters with additional surge capacity for those experiencing homelessness. Bed availability can be found at the Shelter Me Spokane website.
Public safety officials urge citizens to stay home or use extreme caution if they have to go out during the storm.
During the storm, citizens can report downed trees and blocked roadways due to trees by calling 311. If a tree is entangled in a powerline, the city urges citizens to call Avista at 1-800-277-9187.
Avista is also preparing for the storm through stocking fleet vehicles and warehouse supplies. Due to the capacity of the storm, estimated restoration times are not likely to be available until the storm passes. In the mean time, Avista urges customers to turn off all appliances, unplug electronic equipment, including computers and to leave a light or radio on to see when power has been restored.
Avista asks residents to keep front porch lights on in order to help alert their crews to which neighborhoods have power. They also urge residents not to wire an emergency generator into a home’s electrical system and to only use it to run specific appliances. If residents are using generators, Avista urges them to set it outside in order to keep carbon monoxide fumes out of the house.
The City of Spokane reminds citizens not to approach downed power lines and to call 911 if there is one. They also urge citizens to treat downed traffic lights as four-way stops.
“Spokane is no stranger to high winds, but we ask that everyone take the necessary precautions to ensure we get through this safely. Stay inside, secure loose items, and pay attention to changing conditions,” Mayor Lisa Brown said. “Our first responders, street crews, and 311 teams are standing by and ready to respond to potential damage.”
Once the winds subside, City crews will work to open arterials before opening blocked residential streets and removing general debris. City park safety hazards will be evaluated by park crews. The City asks residents to remain cautious in areas without apparent damage and to avoid parks with visible damage.
To take care of yard debris on residential property, citizens can take it to the Waste to Energy Facility on 2900 S. Geiger Blvd. after the storm. Residents who cannot clear tree debris from private property by themselves are encouraged to refer to the list of licensed arborists on the City of Spokane website.