Spokane gets enough advance notice on most major wind events to prepare. The NWS Spokane office (KOTX) issues high wind watches usually 24–48 hours before an event, and warnings 12–24 hours before. Pay attention — and act.
Inspect your trees from the ground. Walk the property and look at every tree near a structure. Are there obvious dead branches that could fall? Is anything visibly leaning more than usual? Are there mushrooms at the base of any large tree? If you see something concerning, call now — pre-storm assessments happen fast.
Move what you can. Patio furniture, trampolines, kids' toys, ladders, anything that could become a projectile or get crushed under a falling branch — into the garage or shed. This includes vehicles. Park out from under any tree you have any doubt about.
Plan for power outages. Spokane windstorms regularly knock out power for 4–48 hours. Charge phones, fill gas tanks, fill any prescription refills, locate flashlights and batteries, plan meals that don't require cooking. If you have medical equipment that needs power, have a backup plan.
Save the right phone numbers. Avista outage hotline: 1-800-227-9187. Spokane Hazardous Tree Removal 24/7 emergency: (509) 204-4333. Your insurance company's claims line. Your local police non-emergency. Put them in your phone now, not at 2 a.m. during the storm.
Spokane / North Idaho Context
Spokane's worst recent wind events: November 2015 (sustained 70+ mph gusts, county-wide power outages for days), March 2017, October 2019. These came with 24–72 hours of warning. The homeowners who prepped trees in advance had dramatically fewer claims.
What to do right now
- 1Inspect every tree near a structure 48 hours before the storm.
- 2Call (509) 204-4333 for urgent pre-storm risk assessment if you see warning signs.
- 3Move vehicles and outdoor furniture clear of trees.
- 4Charge devices, fill gas tanks, locate flashlights.
- 5Save Avista outage and emergency tree numbers in your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you remove a dangerous tree in 24 hours before the storm?
Often yes for visible obvious hazards. Call as soon as the warning is posted. Same-day removal is possible for many cases during pre-storm windows.
What's the biggest mistake homeowners make before a windstorm?
Assuming the tree they've been worried about will be fine. The tree that's been making you uneasy is the tree that fails. Trust the instinct, call for the assessment.
Should I stay home during the windstorm?
If your home is structurally sound and away from large trees, yes. If you have known dangerous trees over the structure, plan to be elsewhere — at minimum sleep on the side of the house away from the tree.
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