power outage

A massive line of thunderstorms ripped through eastern Idaho and west-central Montana Friday night, producing lightning strikes and sustained high winds that snapped trees and knocked out power to thousands in the area for several hours.

On Sunday afternoon, the heavy load of electricity usage in the Miller Creek and Southside areas of Missoula led to what is called a 'brownout' at the Miller Creek Road substation.

Monday night's thunderstorms blew through Western Montana bringing hail to the Lolo and Florence area, strong winds to Kalispell and Evergreen and causing problems for firefighters battling a blaze near Phillipsburg.

Power was out for about four hours Sunday night into Monday morning in the Orchard Homes area and parts of midtown Missoula.

A violent windstorm has disrupted power supply to Missoula, Alberton, Florence and Lolo.