UPDATE: Power restoration efforts are underway across Clark County, Washington, as crews from Clark Public Utilities work tirelessly to repair damage caused by severe storms. As of late Wednesday night, approximately 5,000 customers remain without power, down from a staggering 98,000 at the height of the outages early Wednesday morning.
The storm, which began impacting the area around 1:30 a.m., brought strong winds and falling trees, wreaking havoc on power lines. Residents like Andrew Colver expressed their frustrations as they navigated darkened neighborhoods. “I hope the lights get turned back on and my freezer full of salmon doesn’t go bad,” he lamented.
Utility spokesperson Dameon Pesanti confirmed the situation is critical, stating, “Things have been very busy.” Crews are actively working to restore power, triage damage, and formulate a comprehensive recovery plan. “To date, I have not experienced an atmospheric river this large or seen outages at this level all at once,” Pesanti added, underscoring the unprecedented nature of the storm.
The disruptions extend beyond residential areas, forcing local businesses to close. In downtown Camas, the popular restaurant Grains of Wrath announced it would remain closed “until further notice due to storm damage.” Customer Linda Mallon reflected on the challenges, stating, “Power is hit or miss throughout town. Some places are open, and right next door some are closed.”
Residents are urged to report ongoing outages to assist crews in locating and addressing issues more efficiently. Pesanti cautioned the public to exercise extreme caution around downed power lines, particularly near standing water. “It’s not worth the risk,” he warned, as crews also prepare for potential additional storms.
As restoration efforts continue, community members like Colver expressed their gratitude. “I know they’re working very hard. Thank you very much for all that you’re doing,” he said, highlighting the human impact of the crisis.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops in Clark County. Utility crews remain committed to restoring power and ensuring the safety of all residents during this challenging time.
