High winds causing power outages, downed power lines

A storm packing high winds and blowing dust is causing power outages and scattered reports of downed power lines. The National Weather Service in Spokane has been warning of a severe thunderstorm for the last hour. The weather service warned of winds up to 60 mph, blowing dust that hampers visibility and dangerous lightning. The warning extends to Spokane, Cheney, Coeur d’Alene and Pullman, and most recently, Kootenai County in North Idaho. Residents are urged to stay indoors, away from windows. Avista Utilities reports that nearly 4,400 customers are without power, most of them in Odessa. There are also scattered outages reported on the South Hill, in Medical Lake and in Whitman County. Emergency crews are reporting some power lines and trees down throughout Spokane County.