Avista responds to widespread power outages after powerful windstorm

Crews are assessing extensive damage and will work around the clock to restore service as conditions improve and winds subside.

Spokane, Wash. March. 12, 2026, 10:30 a.m. - As last night's windstorm moves out of the region and winds begin to subside, Avista crews and staff are fully engaged in responding to widespread electric outages. Assessment and restoration efforts began last night, and crews will continue working around the clock until all customers have power restored. At the height of the storm, 60,988 Avista electric customers were without power. As of 10:30 a.m. today, approximately 33,299 Avista electric customers are without power, with more than 503 separate outage incidents.

All available Avista crews are working on the outages, including 41-line crews and 13 vegetation management crews.

Outages on Avista's system began at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Across the region, fallen trees contacting electric lines and equipment have caused extensive damage to both transmission and distribution systems.

As Avista's restoration efforts continue, safety remains our top priority. The number of trees and branches down has created challenging conditions for crews to complete outage assessments and restoration. As it is safe to do so, Avista continues to assess the extent of the damage and restore power. Assessments may take 24 hours or more in some cases, due to the widespread damage, and outages may last multiple days.

Detailed estimated restoration times are being developed as we complete ongoing damage assessments, and we will keep customers updated as more information becomes available. Restoration efforts in the Spokane area are moving quickly and are expected to be mostly complete by the end of today. However, in Colville, St. Maries, and the Silver Valley, restoration work may extend into the weekend.

Safety during an outage

We want our customers to stay safe. With this storm, trees have brought a significant number of power lines down. Customers should treat all power lines as if they are energized. Customers should stay away from any 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, they should call 911 immediately and then Avista at (800) 227-9187 to report its location.

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 with the exhaust facing away from the house so poisonous carbon monoxide fumes do not enter the home.

Restoration process

To restore power in an outage, we focus on restoring power to critical infrastructure first, such as transmission lines and substations, and emergency facilities like hospitals. These restoration efforts may not be as visible to customers, given the location of this infrastructure across Avista's system. Once critical customers and transmission lines are restored, crews then work to make repairs that will restore power along impacted distribution feeder lines to a larger number of customers. This will leave some customers without power while their neighbors have been restored. Avista crews will come back through to restore individual outages in neighborhoods, which means customers may see service people in their neighborhood multiple times.

What customers can do

Customers can report a power outage online or through their mobile device at 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.

Avista is continuing to experience a large volume of phone calls, and customers should expect longer hold times. We understand this is challenging and appreciate our customers' patience during this time.

Customers can aid in the restoration process by checking their service equipment for needed repairs. All of these repairs need to be made by a licensed electrician before we can safely restore power to the home. If a customer's home sustained damage during this storm, the overhead mast may need attention and repair. The mast is usually located on the roof, where electric service connects from the power pole to the home. Customers should look for an overhead mast that is bent and pulled away from the house, causing a wire to hang, or to see if the bent mast broke the fitting where the wire connects to the electric meter. Customers should also look to see if they have a broken meter fitting that caused an arc or burned meter socket.

To find a licensed, bonded and insured electrician, customers can visit myavista.com/dealer-search.

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About Avista Utilities

Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 422,000 customers and natural gas to 383,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.7 million. Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit myavista.com.

The Avista logo is a trademark of Avista Corporation.

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