A transformer explosion in North Lewiston triggered a widespread power outage Thursday evening, cutting electricity to more than 1,100 Avista customers across a broad stretch of the city, according to the utility.
The affected area extended from the 21st and Main streets corridor north toward 12th Avenue. Avista crews initially projected restoration by 11:30 p.m., but managed to bring service back roughly an hour ahead of schedule, around 10:30 p.m.
Police Manage Intersections During Outage
With traffic signals dark across several busy intersections, Lewiston police officers stepped in to direct vehicles through the affected zones. For approximately 30 minutes, drivers were left without functioning signals before officers arrived to manage the flow. Authorities noted that some officers may have simultaneously been responding to unrelated calls during the outage period. Once Avista restored power, traffic operations returned to normal.
This is the second significant outage to affect Lewiston customers in recent memory, underscoring the vulnerability of aging electrical infrastructure to sudden equipment failures. Avista has not released details on the cause or condition of the failed transformer as of Thursday night.
What Comes Next
Avista is expected to assess the damaged equipment and determine whether additional infrastructure work is needed in the North Lewiston area. Residents and drivers are encouraged to treat any darkened traffic signal as a four-way stop, as required under Idaho law. No injuries related to the outage or traffic disruptions were reported. Updates from Avista on repair timelines and infrastructure condition are anticipated in the coming days.