Due to forecasted strong winds, City of Spokane first responders, Spokane 311, as well as Street and Parks crews, are preparing to respond to calls for assistance and reports of damage. More information.

City of Spokane Prepared for Forecasted Winds

Erin Hut, Communications Director, ehut@spokanecity.org

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 4:36 p.m.

The National Weather Service is forecasting strong winds with gusts of 50 to 70 mph to begin between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Wednesday, bringing a potential for widespread power outages, tree damage, and difficult driving conditions.  

City of Spokane first responders, Spokane 311, as well as Street and Parks crews, are preparing to respond to calls for assistance and reports of damage.  

“The City of Spokane is prepared and ready to respond to potential damage across our community, but we urge everyone to take proper precautions. Secure loose items, stay aware of changing conditions, and prioritize safety for yourself and those around you,” Mayor Lisa Brown said.  

Public safety officials urge citizens to use extreme caution if they must go out during the high winds. 

The City has also activated its inclement weather plan, prompting additional surge capacity at local shelters for those who are experiencing homelessness. Bed availability can be found at sheltermespokane.org. 

Citizens can call 3-1-1 to report trees blocking roadways or downed trees in City parks. For trees entangled with power lines, please call Avista at 1-800-277-9187. Visit myAvista.com/outage to report an outage. If downed power lines pose an emergency, call 9-1-1. Do not approach downed power lines. Intersections that do not have power should be treated as a four-way stop.  

After winds subside, City crews will prioritize opening blocked arterials. After that, crews will work to open blocked residential streets and will then move to general debris removal from streets. Parks teams will evaluate and manage tree damage in City parks, first addressing safety hazards, followed by clearing pathways and general clean-up. Residents are asked to avoid parks with visible damage, and remain cautious even in areas without apparent damage.  

Residential and commercial garbage and recycling customers may experience a delay in service depending on the level of storm impact.  

After the storm, citizens can take yard debris to the Waste to Energy facility, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd. Standard criteria apply, branches less than 3” in diameter and no tree root balls. Residents who need assistance with clearing tree debris from private property are encouraged to refer to the list of licensed arborists at spokanecity.org.