Power Outage in Missoula, MT

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How to Report Power Outage

Power outage in Missoula, Montana? Contact your local utility company.

NorthWestern Energy
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(888) 467-2669 Report Online
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Missoula Electric Cooperative
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(800) 352-5200
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Outage Map
Ravalli Electric Coop
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(406) 961-3001
Mission Valley Power
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(406) 883-7900
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Outage Map
BPA
Report an Outage
(800) 282-3713

Missoula Power Outages Caused by Weather

Events

July 1, 2021 - Thunderstorm Wind

An outflow wind from a northerly moving thunderstorm produced strong to severe winds from roughly 6-7 pm MDT, with a peak gust of 64 mph at Missoula Intl. Airport. These winds caused downed trees and powerlines, and also damaged a roof. The outflow boundary snapped a tree north of Seeley Lake at 7 MDT. The first reported downed tree happened at 5:52 pm MDT in the Mullan Trail area. Additionally, a homeless camp in South Missoula suffered ripped tents.

(Mso)Missoula Intl A - (Mso)Missoula Intl A
June 13, 2021 - Thunderstorm Wind

Strong southerly outflow winds of 45 to 60 mph downed hundreds of live trees, primarily ponderosa and larch varieties. Most of the trees were uprooted but a few had tops blown out. The main area of damage extended from Salmon Lake to the Seeley Lake area with isolated areas of damage around the Morrell Falls trailhead and near Condon. Multi-hour power outages were common along with several vehicles damaged by fallen trees. In addition, hikers were stranded by fallen trees for a time at the Morrell Falls trailhead.

Clearwater Junction - Seeley Lake Arpt
June 13, 2021 - Thunderstorm Wind

Strong southerly outflow winds of 45 to 60 mph downed hundreds of live trees, primarily ponderosa and larch varieties. Most of the trees were uprooted but a few had tops blown out. The main area of damage extended from Salmon Lake to the Seeley Lake area with isolated areas of damage around the Morrell Falls trailhead and near Condon. Multi-hour power outages were common along with several vehicles damaged by fallen trees. In addition, hikers were stranded by fallen trees for a time at the Morrell Falls trailhead.

Clearwater Junction - Seeley Lake Arpt
May 6, 2018 - Thunderstorm Wind

Several large trees were uprooted and fell onto two cars and a house. The Missoula International Airport ASOS reported a gust to 48 mph while a sensor on top of Mount Sentinel recorded a 68 mph wind gust. A local power company reported at least 2,000 customers were without power for at least three hours.

Missoula - Missoula
August 18, 2016 - Thunderstorm Wind

Two transmission poles located in the South Hills area of Missoula were knocked out by the wind which caused a power outage. Multiple trees were pushed over by the wind including a 50 foot Ponderosa Pine tree that fell onto a home. A NWS employee reported that a Maple tree was snapped in half at the corner of Mount and Brooks Street.

Missoula - Missoula

Episodes

July 1, 2021

A strong outflow boundary from thunderstorms moving north out of the Bitterroot Valley uprooted trees, created power outages, and damaged roofs.

July 15, 2017

An upper level wave tracked up from the Clearwater Mountains of Idaho towards the Seeley Lake area and initiated thunderstorms thanks to warmer than normal temperatures in the region. As these storms tracked over the Bitterroot and Clark Fork Valleys, they produced damaging winds and power outages. Also, a thunderstorm produced torrential rain and subsequent flash-flooding to Anaconda in southwestern Montana.

August 10, 2015

A cluster of thunderstorms developed at 3 pm MDT over Lemhi county and was associated with very frequent lightning strikes. This cluster of thunderstorms developed into a line and brought strong damaging winds to the Bitterroot and Missoula valleys. Numerous power lines were knocked down as a line of 60 mph winds push through the Bitterroot valley. As the thunderstorms approached Missoula, a macroburst developed and brought 74 mph wind gusts to the city of Missoula. Many power lines and trees were brought down and caused power outages for days in some areas.

August 12, 2013

A weak upper level low over southwestern Oregon brought moisture into western Montana on August 12th. A very weak mid-level wind maximum around 30 knots along with strong surface heating into the lower 90s and the lifting mechanism due to terrain helped to trigger multicellular thunderstorms that tracked into the Seeley Lake region. The main impacts of these storms were lightning, tree and power line damage.

May 13, 2013

A strong upper level wave moved into Washington State providing the necessary ingredients for a southwest flow severe thunderstorm event to setup. Very strong wind shear combined with meager instability and dew points in the 50s across north-central Idaho allowed for storms to develop in the afternoon. A few of these storms developed into supercells, one of which brought large hail and gusty winds to the Bitterroot Valley. A very strong cold front moved across Idaho into Western Montana by the evening hours providing gusty winds between 40 and 56 mph which brought down a few trees and power lines.

News

Montana power outage prep; keeping it going when lights go out loading... loading...

Careful thinking won't turn the lights on, but could keep you safe until they do.

Nov 16, 2022

Power restored in Missoula | KECI

As of 9:29 a.m., over 3,500 people are experiencing NorthWestern Energy power outages near Russel Street and the Bitterroot Branch.Missoula County Public Scho

Nov 10, 2022

Power restored in most of downtown Missoula | KECI

A power outage that started around 7:45 p.m. Friday knocked out power to much of downtown Missoula for close to an hour.Just before 9 p.m. Most power had been r

Nov 4, 2022

Planned power outage to impact Kalispell area on Wednesday

The Bonneville Power Administration has informed Flathead Electric Cooperative of a planned power outage for later this week.

Oct 3, 2022

2 planned power outages scheduled west of Kalispell | KECI

Bonneville Power Administration informed the Flathead Electric Cooperative of two planned outages next week.The impacted communities will be west of Kalispell,

Sep 27, 2022

No Rate Increase for Missoula Electric Cooperative Members

Kelsey Lodge provided some background information about the members-only energy cooperative.

Sep 27, 2022

Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-op plateau's rates amid worldwide shortages | State | fairfieldsuntimes.com

HUNTLY, Mont. - Power grids around the world are seeing shortages and many are feeling the impact of this in some way, however, one local co-op is attempting to make

Sep 17, 2022

Power outage hitting parts of Missoula

A Wednesday afternoon power outage is impacting over 2,700 NorthWestern Energy customers in Missoula.

Sep 7, 2022

Flathead Electric Cooperative restores power | KECI

Flathead Electric announced that over 17,000 people are experiencing a large power outage in multiple areas.Flathead Electric says its powder provider is respo

Aug 24, 2022

Friday Lightning Storm Sparks Fires in Lolo National Forest

Due to severe thunderstorms and lightning across the Lolo National Forest, firefighters were actively responding to multiple smoke reports.

Aug 22, 2022

User Comments…

Are you affected? Leave your comment below.

Madison St bridge area, no power still

Dogs in the dark | August 01, 2021  

Lower to Mid rattlesnake no power still

AF | August 01, 2021  

St.Patricks hospital area, out of power

Anonymous | August 01, 2021  

St.Patricks hospital area, out of power

Anonymous | August 01, 2021  

St.Patricks hospital area, out of power

Anonymous | August 01, 2021  

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Power Outage FAQs

What is Power Outage?

Power outage (also called a power cut, a power blackout, power failure or a blackout) is a short-term or a long-term loss of the electric power to a particular area.

What Causes Power Outages?

  • Severe weather (high winds, lightning, winter storms, heat waves, rain or flooding can cause damage to power lines or equipment);
  • Other damage to electric transmission lines (vehicle accidents, trees, and animals can cause damage to power lines or equipment);
  • Repairing, maintenance or upgrades on power lines and equipment.

What are the Top Outage Safety Tips?

  • Stay away from the downed power lines, park vehicles in protected areas;
  • Unplug appliances and electronics, limit cell phone use to conserve battery life;
  • Use portable generators outdoors only, well away from open windows and doors;
  • Pack perishable foods into a cooler, keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut as much as possible.

Related Cities

Report power outage in other Montana cities.

Missoula, Montana

City Missoula
County Missoula
State Montana (MT)
Country United States
Zip Codes 59801, 59802, 59803, 59804, 59806, 59807, 59808, 59812

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