A strong cold front moved through northern Idaho on the morning of January 13th. With this front, severe winds swept through the Idaho Panhandle bringing widespread damage, fallen trees, and power outages. In Kootenai and Shoshone counties, widespread gusts of 60 to 70 mph winds were observed. Winds were not as strong through the remainder of the Panhandle counties, but they still created power outages, downed trees, and wind damage. Numerous school districts cancelled school due to lack of power. Overall, it took a week to restore power to all who lost it.
Due to extensive wind damage and in effort to receive state funding for help with clean up, Kootenai County Board of County Commissioners signed a disaster declaration.

Strong Wind in CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS, IDAHO
From 13-JAN-21 07:00:00 to 13-JAN-21 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported approximately 40 miners trapped after the Galena Mine Complex lost power due to strong winds. Power was restored 24 hours later and all miners made it out safely.

High Wind in COEUR D'ALENE AREA, IDAHO
From 13-JAN-21 04:00:00 to 13-JAN-21 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported that a motorist drove off the side of an embankment after the tree struck his truck on Highway 97, near Lake Coeur d'Alene. The motorist succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Strong Wind in IDAHO PALOUSE, IDAHO
From 13-JAN-21 06:00:00 to 13-JAN-21 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 43.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported numerous blockages on US 95, north of Tensed, due to a crash from downed power lines.

Strong Wind in NORTHERN PANHANDLE, IDAHO
From 13-JAN-21 07:00:00 to 13-JAN-21 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 41.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

A utility company reported approximately 10,000 customers without power in Bonner County due to damage to power lines from wind damage.

High Wind in LEWIS AND SOUTHERN NEZ PERCE, IDAHO
From 13-JAN-21 04:00:00 to 14-JAN-21 00:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Avista Utilities reported approximately 2,200 customers without power in the Lewis Clark Valley and Camas Prairie due to high winds.

High Wind in COEUR D'ALENE AREA, IDAHO
From 13-JAN-21 04:00:00 to 13-JAN-21 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

There were numerous reports of downed trees and power lines, roadways blocked, and house damage due to the high winds early January 13th. A motorist drove off the side of an embankment after the tree struck his truck on Highway 97, near Lake Coeur d'Alene. The motorist succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Due to wind damage, an estimated 30,000 customers were without power in Kootenai County, most in the Coeur d'Alene and Hayden Lake area.

High Wind in CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS, IDAHO
From 13-JAN-21 07:00:00 to 13-JAN-21 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

There were widespread gusts up to 60 mph, which led to power outages, across Shoshone County. Approximately 40 miners trapped after the Galena Mine Complex lost power due to strong winds. Power was restored 24 hours later and all miners made it out safely.

High Wind in IDAHO PALOUSE, IDAHO
From 13-JAN-21 06:00:00 to 13-JAN-21 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Gusty winds occurred across the Idaho Palouse early January 13th. Downed power lines on US Highway 95 led to a vehicle crash and numerous blockages until the road was safely cleared. The estimated wind gust of 50 knots is based on wind damage.