High winds buffet Pacific Northwest, throwing thousands into the dark

The winds struck Spokane just after lunch hour with gusts measured at Spokane International Airport at 44 mph.

Early in the day strong winds knocked out power to more than 100,000 customers stretching from the Willamette Valley down to the California line in Oregon. Portland General Electric reported 30,000 customers were without power at 8 a.m.

Authorities say a 67-year-old Oregon man was killed when he was struck by a tree limb. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says a neighbor found Ronald Kibert of Tigard under the large limb Friday morning. The neighbors performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but Kibert was pronounced dead at OHSU hospital.

Winds gusts of 60 mph were reported in the Portland area Friday, sending trees into homes, streets and power lines. Read more.