There are widespread power outages on the Palouse tonight following this afternoon’s severe thunderstorm and dust storm.
About 11,000 customers of Avista Utilities, Clearwater Power and Inland Power are affected. The lights are out for about 6,000 customers in Moscow and South of town. Over 4,000 people in North Latah County, Potlatch and Viola are in the dark. Hundreds of customers in the Steptoe area are affected. There are scattered power outages in Pullman impacting dozens of customers.
None of the local utilities have provided any estimates as to when the lights will be back on as of our news time.
Several Whitman County Volunteer Fire Districts are fighting a large a wildland fire along Long Hollow Road about 10 miles West of Pullman near Onecho and the Snake River Canyon.
The National Weather Service reports that a gust of 56 MPH was recorded in Garfield.
The agency still has a Blowing Dust Advisory in effect for the Palouse until 11:00 tonight.
