Dispatch sounded off Wednesday morning across Lake County with reports of multiple down trees from Polson to Ronan.  

According to the National Weather Service, the Mission Valley is under a high wind warning from 2 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Southwest winds were 25 to 35 miles per hour with expected gusts up to 65 miles per hour.  

The City of Polson Fire Department responded to a report of a down tree on a house on Second Street West at around 8 a.m. Nearby, on Seventh another down tree was also on a house.  

According to PFD lieutenant Adam Reed, power lines were knocked out by the large tree, and they were working on securing those lines with Mission Valley Power.  

Once the lines were secured, Reed said his department looked for structural damage to the home.  

Dispatch had also reported a tree down on Highway 93 in Ronan, a large pine tree down across Highways 35 blocking both lanes with power lines involved, and trees reported down in Pablo and Finley Point. Multiple power outages were reported across the valley.  

Polson Rural Fire stated on their Facebook that 35 was closed at Fulkerson Corner due to a large tree across the highway. 

Reed said his department expected to stay busy as the high winds were predicted to surge between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Reed advised people to stay inside as tree limbs were apt to be “flying all over the place.”  

The Lake County Office of Emergency Management issued a high wind and travel advisory. The advisory stated that high winds have caused multiple down trees to block areas of Highway 93, 35 and 83. Emergency crews were working to remove the blockages, but some roads were still blocked. The advisory requested that people not travel and stay clear of affected areas. Calls were handled in a priority manner until the high winds stopped by late afternoon.    Mission Valley Power on scene at Second Street West in Polson to secure power lines. (Emily Messer/Leader)