Last week's storm sheared 60 power poles

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District crews discovered sheared power poles, downed transmission lines and mangled electrical equipment in the wake of powerful winds Friday in excess of 100 miles per hour.

The windstorm, which first flared up Thursday night, touched off the most significant power outages in Grant County in 25 years, PUD General Manager Tim Culbertson said Monday.

He estimated it could take the utility district two to three months to completely restore the electrical system to its pre-storm condition. Total damage is still being measured.

Culbertson told the district's commission, during their regular Monday meeting, the number of customers experiencing outages reached into the "thousands." More specific figures were not yet available, he said.

The western part of Grant County, near Quincy, was impacted by the most violent winds, where more than 60 power poles were snapped off at the ground, Culbertson said.

PUD line crews initially focused on safety Friday, removing downed power poles and transmission lines from highways, roads and farm entrances, a PUD spokeswoman said Monday. The utility then restored high-voltage lines needed to deliver power to substations in affected areas.

Crews worked all weekend, repairing the windstorm's damage, said PUD spokeswoman Dorothy Harris.

Major electric system destruction in the Quincy area, which caused the entire city's power to go out early Friday, was repaired enough later in the day to restore electricity to most of the western Grant County community.

Power to the Crescent Bar resort area, along the Columbia River, was also completely knocked out Friday. Electricity there, serving approximately 500 customers, was restored Sunday night. Residents along Highway 281, between Quincy and George, also regained power Sunday.

Approximately 50 customers remain out of electricity, most are in rural homes west of Quincy and south of Highway 28. Other residents still in the dark are scattered around the county.

The utility district encourages residents without electricity to call customer service and report any outage, said Harris.

The American Red Cross is offering food and shelter, she said.