High winds in the Inland Northwest

More than 60,000 electric customers were without power in the Inland Northwest Monday afternoon, as high winds blew over trees, snapping power lines.

Section:Gallery

Mon., Sept. 7, 2020

A large tree that cracked in half and fell into 72-year-old Lew Peterson's backyard and brought powerlines with it, is seen near Ninth and Perry in Spokane, Wash. on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. The Labor Day wind storm brought the tree down and completely ruined Peterson's pergola, but was just short of his house, though he wasn't at home to witness the impact when it occurred. Peterson said he built the pergola six years ago but likely would not be able to rebuild it because he doesn't have the energy at this stage in his life. "There's nothing you can do about it," Peterson said while looking on the bright side, "Guess I'll finally get some sun in the backyard."

Libby Kamrowski
A large tree that cracked in half and fell into 72-year-old Lew Peterson's backyard and brought powerlines with it, is seen near Ninth and Perry in Spokane, Wash. on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. The Labor Day wind storm brought the tree down and completely ruined Peterson's pergola, but was just short of his house, though he wasn't at home to witness the impact when it occurred. Peterson said he built the pergola six years ago but likely would not be able to rebuild it because he doesn't have the energy at this stage in his life. "There's nothing you can do about it," Peterson said while looking on the bright side, "Guess I'll finally get some sun in the backyard."

Libby Kamrowski
72-year-old Lew Peterson's tomoato plants somehow survived the tree that cracked in half and fell into backyard and brought powerlines with it near Ninth and Perry in Spokane, Wash. on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. The Labor Day wind storm brought the tree down and completely ruined Peterson's pergola, but was just short of his house, though he wasn't at home to witness the impact when it occurred. Peterson said he built the pergola six years ago but likely would not be able to rebuild it because he doesn't have the energy at this stage in his life. "There's nothing you can do about it," Peterson said while looking on the bright side, "Guess I'll finally get some sun in the backyard."

Libby Kamrowski
Powerlines drape over 72-year-old Lew Peterson's back shed amongst the branches of the tree that brought them down near Ninth and Perry in Spokane, Wash. on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. The Labor Day wind storm brought the tree down and completely ruined Peterson's pergola, but was just short of his house, though he wasn't at home to witness the impact when it occurred. Peterson said he built the pergola six years ago but likely would not be able to rebuild it because he doesn't have the energy at this stage in his life. "There's nothing you can do about it," Peterson said while looking on the bright side, "Guess I'll finally get some sun in the backyard."

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The wind whips wheat sideway along the Palouse Highway near Valleyford, Wash. on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Winds were around 25 miles per hour and up, according to the Weather Channel.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Gabriel Beltren makes the most of the strong winds with a solo kite-flying expedition in a parking lot along the revitalized Sprague Avenue district on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Beltren said he was motivated to buy the kite after hearing that some of the children in his apartment complex didn't know what kite flying was, and recently taught his young neighbors how to do it, and even shared the fun with an adult neighbor before it became damaged.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Gabriel Beltren makes the most of the strong winds with a solo kite-flying expedition in a parking lot along the revitalized Sprague Avenue district on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Beltren said he was motivated to buy the kite after hearing that some of the children in his apartment complex didn't know what kite flying was, and recently taught his young neighbors how to do it, and even shared the fun with an adult neighbor before it became damaged.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
A ripped flag dances in strong winds at the end of a driveway in Valleyford, Wash. on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Winds were around 25 miles per hour and up, according to the Weather Channel.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
A small tree bends to the strong wind's will in along the revitalized area of Sprague Avenue in Spokane, Wash. on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Winds were around 25 miles per hour and up, according to the Weather Channel.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Strong winds blow vegatation near Palouse Highway and Waneta Road on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Winds were around 25 miles per hour and up, according to the Weather Channel.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
High winds knocked a tree onto a cabin is at Cape Horn.

Courtesy Chris Kosty
A Dodge Ram was smashed by a tree at Indian Creek.

Courtesy Chris Kosty