29,000 remain without power
SPOKANE, Wash. — Janet Gray, one of thousands of people in the Spokane area still without power following a major windstorm, gave up living in her house when the thermostat hit 38 degrees and moved to a hotel.
Despite the cold, food she bought for Thanksgiving spoiled and she called off dinner plans with relatives who planned to travel from western Washington for the holiday.
“All our food for Thanksgiving is ruined,” the 42-year-old Spokane woman said. “For now, it’s canceled.”
Gov. Jay Inslee planned to meet with local leaders Tuesday as tens of thousands of people who have been shivering for nearly a week remained without power.
A major windstorm Nov. 17 damaged the electrical grid in Spokane, the state’s second-largest city. Winds topping 70 mph in the Northwest snapped power poles and toppled trees that crashed through roofs and crushed cars. Three people died when trees fell on their vehicles, and heavy rains flooded road and homes.
More storms were expected to worsen the plight of more than 29,000 customers in Spokane County who have been living without heat and light amid subfreezing temperatures — the forecast calls for snow and wind chills dropping into the single digits. Stores sold out of firewood as people used wood stoves to heat their homes.
Gray said she’s frustrated and angry with the local utility because she cannot get answers to when power will be restored to her home in Spokane’s South Hill area.
Crews are working around the clock, but the extent of destruction means most customers won’t be able to turn on their heaters, TVs and light switches until late Wednesday evening, according to Avista Corp., the Spokane region’s major electrical utility.
“Living without power in these cold conditions for several days is very stressful and trying,” said Avista Chairman Scott Morris. “Let me assure you, we continue to dedicate every available resource at our disposal to restore your power as we recover from the worst natural disaster in our company’s 126-year history.”
