Spokane windstorm cleanup continues as residents assess damage

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane community began cleanup efforts Thursday following a destructive windstorm that toppled more than 120 trees across the city and county, damaging several homes.

The overnight storm sent trees crashing into multiple homes throughout the Spokane Valley area, particularly near University High School in South Spokane Valley.

Cynthia Harvey and her grandchildren experienced one of the most severe incidents when three trees fell into her home around 1:30 a.m.

“Just startled all of us and everything. And the kids were, like, really upset and freaking out,” Harvey said.

The damage to Harvey’s home was extensive, affecting multiple rooms.

“There’s a big hole in the kitchen ceiling, and there’s, the living room, ceiling has, like, shifted. So, but there’s a big old tree branch through the kitchen,” Harvey explained.

Harvey’s experience reflects a pattern that residents say is becoming more common. Some neighbors have begun removing trees from their properties to prevent future damage.

“My neighbor right here, we’re really close to her. And she said a couple of years ago, right before we moved in, there was a tree that knocked out their back, their cover area, porch,” Harvey said.

A few blocks away, two trees crashed into another home’s kitchen around 10:30 p.m.

Pines Cemetery in the valley was also hit hard, with groundskeepers clearing approximately nine trees from the property.

City of Spokane officials reported that more than 80 trees fell across parks and public right-of-ways, along with several street signs. Spokane County authorities handled an additional 40 downed trees and one power line during Thursday’s cleanup operations.

Cleanup crews will continue working in the coming days to clear remaining debris and restore normal conditions. Local authorities expect most public areas to be cleared within the next few days, though private property cleanup may take longer depending on damage extent.