Overnight Windstorm Topples Trees, Knocks Out Power in Coeur d'Alene

A windstorm moving through North Idaho overnight knocked out power and brought trees down across several Coeur d'Alene neighborhoods, with residents waking Friday morning to blocked yards and darkened streets.

The storm swept through the region overnight into March 13, leaving a scattered trail of downed trees in its wake. Affected neighborhoods in Coeur d'Alene reported trees toppling onto yards, the kind of damage that typically signals sustained and gusty winds rather than a brief, passing squall.

Power outages accompanied the tree damage, compounding the disruption for residents already dealing with debris. The extent of the outages across the broader North Idaho region was still coming into focus as morning arrived.

Coeur d'Alene sits in a geographic corridor where windstorms can funnel through with intensity, and overnight events like this one often catch residents off guard before utility crews and cleanup teams can respond at full capacity. Avista Utilities, which serves much of Kootenai County, typically deploys line crews to assess and restore outages following storm events, though restoration timelines depend on the volume and location of damage.

Residents with downed trees blocking roads or posing safety hazards are encouraged to contact the City of Coeur d'Alene or Kootenai County road departments depending on jurisdiction. Avista customers without power can report outages at 1-800-227-9187. Anyone who observes downed power lines should keep clear and call 911 immediately.

Cleanup and full power restoration efforts were ongoing as of Friday morning.