Seeley Lake Storm Topples Trees, Power Outages Linger in Montana

SEELEY LAKE, Mont. (AP) — A brief but intense storm tore through the Seeley Lake area last Friday, August 23, 2024, toppling trees and power lines across the small lakeside town in Missoula County. The powerful winds knocked out electricity to hundreds of homes and businesses, with Missoula Electric Co-op reporting widespread damage including broken poles that require replacement. Crews were on site Saturday in Seeley Lake and nearby Condon, working through the cleanup as residents braced for multi-day outages.

By Monday, some households remained without power, forcing families to endure cold nights without heat or refrigeration. Local reports described trees uprooted throughout town, blocking roads and crushing structures in the popular recreational hub nestled in the Swan Valley. Missoula Electric Co-op estimated repairs could stretch into the coming days, urging residents to check on neighbors and avoid downed lines.

The storm's impact echoed similar weather events in western Montana, where high winds have repeatedly strained the grid. NorthWestern Energy assisted in broader Missoula County assessments, reporting outages in areas like Frenchtown, Lolo and Bonner from related wind damage. In Seeley Lake, the cooperative prioritized pole replacements and line repairs, with no injuries reported but significant property damage.