Fierce Winds Batter Northwest Montana, Causing Widespread Outages

Damaging winds swept across Northwest Montana beginning Wednesday morning, causing extensive power outages for more than 30,000 Flathead Electric Cooperative customers. Areas from Libby to the Flathead Valley, including Kalispell and Whitefish, were significantly impacted. Wind gusts reached a staggering 96 mph in the Swan Range, leading to numerous trees falling across roads and a semi-truck overturning, which temporarily closed U.S. 93 South.

Flathead County Commissioners approved an emergency declaration, empowering the sheriff to ensure public safety amidst the chaos. Restoration efforts are underway, with crews working tirelessly, but the widespread damage and limited availability of external assistance mean some residents may be without power into Friday. Officials advise residents to avoid downed powerlines and report only life-threatening emergencies to 911.

The storm also brought a transition from rain to snow, with a winter storm warning issued for the Glacier Park region due to the combination of high winds and accumulating snow. Marias Pass could see up to 12 inches of snow. The extreme weather highlights the vulnerability of the region to severe wind events.