Missoula County battles storm damage and power outages

Missoula County is grappling with the aftermath of a severe storm that swept through the area, causing extensive damage to trees and power lines. Thousands of residents remain without power as utility companies, including Northwestern Energy and Missoula Electric Cooperative, deploy numerous crews to restore service. The most significant outages are reported in the city of Missoula and surrounding areas, including Frenchtown and Lolo.

County operations have been impacted, with many departments closed due to the power outages. However, essential services such as the courthouse, justice court, and the clerk and recorder treasurer's office remain open to the public. Other offices, including the district court clerk's office and the sheriff's office, are closed, with staff working remotely.

Public works crews have been active throughout the night, focusing on tree removal to facilitate power restoration efforts. Residents are encouraged to report downed power lines directly to Northwestern Energy, as the 911 emergency system is experiencing high call volumes due to the storm.

In response to the damage, county officials are preparing to present a resolution for an emergency declaration, which would allow the county to seek federal assistance for recovery costs if necessary. The county's facilities crews are also assessing damage, with reports indicating over 100 trees down across various locations.