A transformer explosion in North Lewiston triggered a widespread power outage Thursday evening, leaving more than 1,100 Avista customers without electricity across a stretch of the city running from 21st and Main streets toward 12th Avenue.
Avista crews responded to the incident and initially projected service would be restored by 11:30 p.m. Power came back roughly an hour ahead of schedule, however, with electricity returning to affected areas around 10:30 p.m.
Police Manage Intersections During Outage
With traffic signals dark throughout the affected corridor, Lewiston police officers stepped in to manually direct vehicles at several high-traffic intersections. For approximately 30 minutes, drivers navigated the area without functioning signals before officers arrived to manage traffic flow. Authorities noted that some officers may have simultaneously been responding to unrelated calls during the outage period. Traffic conditions returned to normal once power was fully restored.
This marks another recent disruption to Lewiston infrastructure. Earlier this season, a power outage also affected roughly 1,100 customers in Lewiston on a Thursday evening, raising questions about grid reliability in portions of the city. Residents and businesses in the area have dealt with intermittent service interruptions, and utility crews continue to monitor aging equipment throughout the region.
Avista serves a broad customer base across the Lewis-Clark Valley. The utility has not publicly indicated whether Thursday’s transformer failure is connected to any broader equipment concerns in North Lewiston.
No injuries were reported in connection with the explosion or the subsequent outage. For the latest on local public safety developments, including a recent shop fire that left a Lewiston building a total loss, check back with Nez Perce County News.