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Restoration work continues with 5 times the normal crew count

Labor-intensive work of rebuilding distribution lines in neighborhoods continues

Spokane, Wash. Nov. 23, 2015, 4:30 p.m.: Around-the-clock restoration efforts will continue in force today for the approximately 29,000 customers who remain without power. Nearly 84 percent of customers who lost power last Tuesday have had their power restored.

Steady progress continues today. There are 132 crews available to work on restoration. More than 100 crews are on duty today in Spokane, working 16-hour shifts. Crew rotations will continue throughout the night.

“I know it’s difficult and stressful for our customers to be without power for this extended period,” said Avista CEO Scott Morris. “I want to assure you that we are making use of every available resource at our disposal to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.”

Avista employees – those without direct responsibilities for outage restoration — have joined with other community volunteers to go door-to-door, talking with residents and doing welfare checks on customers who may be elderly, incapacitated or otherwise vulnerable.

For ongoing outage status, please visit www.avistautilities.com

 

Safety during a power outage

Avista suggests customers take the following steps during an outage:

• Do not wire an emergency generator into a home’s electrical system, unless there is a disconnect switch to separate generated power from Avista’s distribution system. Back feed into power lines could injure or kill a lineman working to get electricity restored.
• Use a generator only to run specific appliances and locate it outside so poisonous carbon monoxide fumes do not enter the home.
• If you see a downed power line, stay away. Treat all power lines as if they are carrying electrical current, and never touch or move one.
• Turn off all the appliances that were on before the power went out.
• Unplug electronic equipment, including computers.
• Leave a light or radio on as an alert when power has been restored.
• Help Avista crews working in a neighborhood know which homes have power by turning on the front porch light

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