By Jeff Marshall
The weather forecasts were unusually certain. Not the usual hedging or shrugging that comes with big wind events, but clear, consistent warnings from the National Weather Service that something strong was on the way. In the days leading up to December 17, your cooperative took every precaution to respond to what could be called the most devastating wind event in the co-op’s history.
With over 3,000 miles of line in service, it’s fair to say that Clearwater Power’s electric grid is at constant exposure to the elements. For the past 25 years, nearly all new power lines (over 300 miles worth) have been installed underground, where they are far less prone to environmental hazards, but that’s small comfort when 90% of power lines are exposed to severe conditions.
The wind arrived with a roar, rattling windows and waking many from their sleep as branches broke and debris pelted homes or skittered across yards. The National Weather Service reported sustained wind speeds of 75 miles per hour with hurricane-force gusts exceeding 90 mph. The storm was caused by a very strong low-pressure system that quickly grew stronger as it moved across the Pacific Northwest, leading to extremely strong winds. At many weather stations, these winds were in the top 1% of the strongest ever recorded.
This was enough to snap not only drought-stressed branches but entire trees. Utility right-of-way clearing usually extends to around fifteen feet from the center of a power line, though, as this winter’s storm proved, when a 100-foot White Pine snaps in half, it will go wherever the wind takes it, and unfortunately, that includes roads, structures, and power lines.
At 4:30 a.m., Clearwater Power’s metering infrastructure system confirmed the first power outage, and by midday, the total number had swelled to over 11,000 homes and businesses. Regionally, this storm did significant damage from Walla Walla to Grangeville to Spokane and most areas between, causing well over 100,000 power outages to homes and businesses in the Inland Northwest.
To worsen matters, many roads were inaccessible, much of the communication network was compromised, and high winds continued to present danger to the emergency crews working to restore critical infrastructure.
The Restoration Process
When a major storm causes outages, restoration follows a deliberate, safety-first plan. Crews start by addressing immediate hazards, like downed power lines that block roads or threaten homes, before moving to broader repairs. Transmission lines come next, carrying electricity between substations and forming the system’s backbone.
Once those are restored, substations are repaired and tested, allowing power to flow to communities. From there, crews work outward through the distribution network, restoring lines and service connections to individual homes and businesses.
Jeff Braden serves as General Foreman for Clearwater Power. “With a storm like this, it can feel like time is working against you, and it might be tempting to rush, but that’s when coordination matters most,” he says. “We stick to our process, and we don’t cut corners. Every step is deliberate, and that discipline is what keeps our crews safe and gets power back to our members as quickly as possible.”
He went on to thank his team’s commitment to round-the-clock dispatching and communication.
Response & Support
This story is not only about infrastructure, but it’s about people. We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary support during this storm. In addition to all-hands-on-deck for Clearwater Power, 19 additional line crews from around the region joined the effort, bringing the total number of linemen to over 100. Our heartfelt thanks go to the crews from mutual aid partners Big Bend Electric Cooperative, Columbia REA, Kootenai Electric Cooperative, and Benton REA, as well as contract crews from International Line Builders and Sturgeon Electric. Additional partners, including Asplundh, Hillcrest Aviation, J&J Excavation, and Perfection Traffic Control, played critical roles in keeping restoration moving.
Most of all, we thank our members for their patience and trust, and honor the dedication of our Clearwater Power crews, who worked hundreds of extra hours to restore power safely ahead of the holidays.
Even as crews worked around the clock, the storm’s severity drew attention from the state. Ryan Bender, Area Field Officer for the Idaho Office of Emergency Management, remained in communication with local counties and tribes as they responded to the wind storm, providing support as needed.
“The damage from this weather event was severe and widespread, impacting so many people across our state,” Bender says. “IOEM is continuing to work with the local jurisdictions on their recovery efforts.”
The Takeaways
Storms like this reveal how interconnected our critical systems are. Power restoration depends on access to roads. Communications depend on functioning networks. When 1 system falters, others feel the effects.
As power was gradually restored, the immediate crisis passed, but the event underscored why Clearwater Power continues to invest in infrastructure, vegetation management, and system hardening long before a storm arrives. Reliability is not just about poles and wires; it’s about preparation, adaptability, and the people who respond when conditions are far from ideal.
“The damage from this weather event was severe and widespread, impacting so many people across our state-IOEM is continuing to work with the local jurisdictions on their recovery efforts.” - Ryan Bender, Idaho Office of Emergency Management
The December 2025 windstorm demonstrated the value of long-term investments and coordinated response. From our crews and partners to the members whose patience made restoration possible, the storm reinforced a simple truth: preparation matters, response counts, and persistence is what allows communities to weather the unexpected.