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.
The affected area extended from 21st and Main streets northward toward 12th Avenue. Avista crews initially projected restoration by 11:30 p.m., but power came back roughly an hour ahead of schedule, around 10:30 p.m.
Officers Direct Traffic as Signals Go Dark
With traffic signals offline, Lewiston police moved in to manage several busy intersections. For approximately 30 minutes, drivers navigated those corridors without functioning lights. Officers eventually cleared the scene once electricity was restored and traffic patterns returned to normal. Authorities noted that some officers may also have been responding to unrelated calls during the same period.
This is the latest in a series of power-related incidents affecting Lewiston residents. A power outage impacting more than 1,100 customers was reported earlier in the week, and a separate shop fire left a building a total loss in Lewiston, underscoring the strain on local emergency responders in recent days.
What Comes Next
Avista has not released details on the cause of the transformer failure or whether infrastructure upgrades are planned for the North Lewiston area. Residents experiencing continued service concerns are encouraged to contact Avista directly. Lewiston police have not indicated any further traffic management actions related to the outage.