Nothing like a windstorm to make you reflect on things you take for granted

It was like something out of one of those Hollywood disaster movies.

Last Tuesday, Nov. 17, a vicious windstorm hit Washington, taking out power in various parts of the state, including Spokane County.

Earlier in the day, numerous reports of trees falling across roads, highways and parking lots filled the radio. We’d later learn that there were two fatalities as a result of the windstorm.

At the Cheney Free Press office, we were grinding away at the Nov. 19 issue of the newspaper when the power went out at the office. After waiting 20-30 minutes, we decided to go home and get a good night’s rest with the intent of coming in early Wednesday morning to finish the issue.

It was pitch black outside, save the flashing red lights of emergency crews, police officers and firefighters responding to emergencies along the highway. Instead of Dennis Patchin, Rick Lukens and Keith Osso on EPSN radio, I listened to static on the drive home.

I spent part of the night in my car, using the heater to stay warm and reading to entertain myself. When I woke up at around 3:30 a.m. the power was back on. Others — over an estimated 158,000 — weren’t so fortunate.

Folks were comparing the windstorm to the ice storm that hit Eastern Washington in 1996. Like the windstorm, the ice storm caused much damage and inconvenience for people.

By Wednesday, over 100,000 customers in Spokane County still had no power. Crews and technicians were working around the clock in hopes of restoring power. Crews from out of state — some as far as Texas — came to help out. It takes a special person to sit on top of telephone poles in 20-30 degree weather.

According to a news release on Sunday, Avista said the windstorm was the worst disaster the power company encountered in its 126 year history and estimated that it would be midweek before power was restored to the majority of their customers. There are also volunteer crews helping clean up the debris and offering to help fix people’s homes.

It’s situations like this that makes us realize how lightly we sometimes take electricity, heat, the Internet and hot water for granted.

Sure, I did fine without these amenities and services for a few hours, but I was immediately thankful to have them back.

I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose them for more than a day or a week. What’s worse is there are some people in the world who have none of these things.

I also realized how unprepared I was when I didn’t have power. A power outage is something you don’t think about preparing for until you experience it.

Thankfully there are shelters in places throughout Spokane County where folks can have a place to keep warm. School districts have also opened their doors to people who need help.

I want to give kudos to the linemen and technicians from the various power companies who have put in a lot of time and effort in hopes of getting the city back on track. I also want to give props to the various schools, businesses, organizations and people who offered their facilities as a place for folks to keep warm and eat meals. Kudos to Spokane County Regional Animal Protective Services for taking in lost animals after the windstorm and reuniting them with their owners.

And while I’m at it, have a Happy Thanksgiving and tell your family you love them.

If you are someone who does not observe this holiday for whatever reason, then have a great day.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].