Missoula, MT. – More than 10,000 customers remain without power this morning, following the Thursday evening storm. Outages are scattered through Missoula, west to Alberton and east to Clinton, as well as the Northern Bitterroot.

The aftermath of Thursday evening’s severe thunderstorm has left thousands in the dark, with power outages scattered across Missoula, extending west to Alberton and east to Clinton, and affecting the Northern Bitterroot region. The storm, characterized by hurricane-force winds, lightning, and heavy rain, has created significant disruptions and challenges for local residents and utilities.

Water Conservation Measures in Effect

Missoula Water has issued an urgent request for customers to conserve water. The storm’s impact on the power grid means that the utility is relying on generators to power their pumps, with a “limited ability” to refuel these generators. The widespread power outages have severely impacted the water system’s functionality, making conservation efforts critical to maintaining water supply during this period.

Storm’s Initial Impact and Warning

The severe weather event began Wednesday evening, with the National Weather Service (NWS) tracking the storm as it moved from Idaho into West Central Montana. By 8:30 pm, NWS had issued a warning of severe thunderstorms moving into the Northern Bitterroot and Missoula Valley. The storm arrived with intense winds, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours, causing immediate and widespread damage.

Wind Speeds and Damage Reports

Forecasters are still analyzing data, but preliminary reports indicate wind gusts between 50 to 60 miles per hour. Notably, a gust of 81 miles per hour was recorded at the Missoula Montana Airport, and a staggering 109 miles per hour gust was reported at the top of Mount Sentinel.

The powerful winds caused extensive damage in areas like Lolo and Miller Creek, bringing down trees and power lines. As the storm swept across Missoula and into East Missoula, it generated a significant dust storm and scattered debris throughout the area. Hundreds of lightning strikes were also recorded, adding to the storm’s destructive potential.

Emergency Response and Ongoing Efforts

Emergency services, including fire and police crews, have been working tirelessly to respond to the numerous reports of downed power lines, fallen trees, and wildfire ignitions. One notable incident involved firefighters containing a structure fire in East Missoula that posed a threat to nearby homes.

Missoula Electric Coop and Northwestern Energy have reported widespread outages, with several hundred customers without power from Lolo to Missoula to Superior and in Seeley Lake. Thousands more are affected in the broader Missoula and Bitterroot service areas.

Local Businesses Respond to the Damage

Local roofing contractor T & J Xteriors and Roofing reported receiving calls from previous customers who had trees land on their roofs, necessitating urgent repairs. While assessing these damages, the contractors noticed that neighboring homes had also suffered significant damage, with parts of roofs completely ripped off by the powerful winds. This highlights the widespread and severe impact of the storm on residential properties throughout the affected areas.

Storm’s Path and Future Impact

By 10 pm, the storm continued its path northeast, heading toward the Upper Blackfoot, the Front, and Great Falls areas. Residents in these regions are advised to prepare for potential severe weather and related disruptions.

The recovery efforts are expected to continue over the coming days as utility crews work to restore power and clear debris. The community is urged to stay informed through local news updates and to adhere to safety guidelines issued by emergency services.

For more detailed updates and video coverage of the storm’s impact, visit Newstalk KGVO.

Conclusion

The severe thunderstorms that swept through West Central Montana have left a trail of destruction and significant power outages. With emergency services and utility crews working around the clock, the focus now is on recovery and restoring normalcy to the affected regions. Residents are encouraged to conserve resources and stay vigilant as efforts continue to address the widespread damage.