Approximately 27,000 customers are without electrical service at 5:30 a.m

Spokane, Wash., July 24, 2014:  Avista crews worked throughout the night to restore power to over 10,000 customers. At the height of the outage, nearly 40,000 Avista customers were without power.

Preliminary assessment indicates damage to transmission and distribution poles and lines, as well as to substations. Avista crews from areas not affected by the storm are relocating to assist crews in areas hardest hit.Crews will continue to work around the clock until power is restored to all customers.

In storms such as this one Avista needs to repair its major infrastructure such as substations and transmission lines allowing them to bring power back on to larger numbers of customers.  There may be multiple repairs at different locations on the system that are required before power can be restored in some locations.

Customers can view outage status on Avista's website at www.avistautilities.com, but due to the extensive damage caused by the storm estimated restoration times may be inaccurate. The restoration times were update overnight and Information is being assessed and updated continually. There will be another update to restoration times mid-day today. The outage status is accurate.
When calling to report outages customers may experience longer hold times because of call volume. Customers can also report outages online atwww.avistautilities.comand through their mobile device.

If customers see that their neighbors power has been restored and theirs hasn't Avista suggests to call 800-227-9187 to report the outage.

Avista appreciates our customers' patience through this event. Avista crews are working as quickly and safely as possible.

Safety First

Stay away from downed power lines. Never touch or attempt to remove fallen limbs from downed or sagging power lines. Treat all power lines as if they are energized or are carrying electrical current. Remember to call Avista immediately at (800) 227-9187 to report the location of the downed power line.

During a power outage

Avista suggests customers take the following steps:

  • Turn off all the appliances you think were on before your power went out.
  • Unplug your electronic equipment, including computers.
  • Leave a light or radio on to let you know when you have service again.
  • Don't wire an emergency generator into your home electrical system. Backfeed into power lines could injure or kill a lineman working to get electricity restored.
  • Use your generator only to run specific appliances, and locate it outside so poisonous carbon monoxide fumes don't enter your 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.
  • To help Avista crews working in a neighborhood know which homes have power, turn on your front porch light.
About Avista Utilities
Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 366,000 customers and natural gas to 326,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.5 million.  Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp . (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit www.avistautilities.com.

The Avista logo is a trademark of Avista Corporation.


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