Avista Reschedules Planned Power Outage in Genesee, Idaho Due to Weather
Outage Moved to Tuesday, April 28 for Nearly 340 Customers in Genesee
GENESEE, Idaho — Approximately 337 Avista electric customers in the Latah County community of Genesee will experience a planned power outage on Tuesday, April 28, after the utility company rescheduled the work from its originally planned Friday, April 24 date due to weather conditions.
According to Avista, the planned outage will begin at 8:00 a.m. and is expected to conclude by 4:00 p.m., giving crews an eight-hour window to complete the necessary work. The company said all affected customers will be notified in advance of the service interruption.
Traffic control will be in place along Laurel Street, north of Chestnut Street, during the duration of the work. Residents and motorists in that area of Genesee should plan accordingly and expect some disruption to normal traffic patterns throughout the day.
Aging Infrastructure Upgrades Driving the Work
The planned outage is part of Avista’s broader, ongoing effort to replace aging infrastructure throughout its service territory. During the work window, Avista crews will be replacing power poles and equipment in the affected area of Genesee. The utility describes these updates as part of its continuing work to enhance the safety and long-term reliability of its electrical grid.
Infrastructure maintenance of this kind, while temporarily inconvenient for customers, is a necessary component of keeping the electrical grid functional and dependable — particularly in rural Idaho communities like Genesee that depend on consistent utility service for both residential and agricultural needs. Proactive replacement of aging power poles and equipment reduces the risk of unexpected outages caused by equipment failures, which can be far more disruptive and costly than a planned, coordinated shutdown.
Genesee, a small agricultural community in southern Latah County, sits in the heart of the Palouse region — an area known for its wheat and lentil production. For many residents and farm operations in the area, reliable electrical service is not simply a matter of convenience but a practical necessity tied to daily operations.
Avista serves a wide swath of northern Idaho and the Inland Northwest, and the company has undertaken similar infrastructure improvement projects in communities throughout its service area in recent years. Scheduling planned outages in advance and notifying customers allows households and small businesses to prepare for the temporary loss of power rather than being caught off guard.
Residents affected by the outage are encouraged to take standard precautions during the interruption, including unplugging sensitive electronics to protect them from potential power surges when service is restored, and making arrangements for any medical equipment or refrigerated medications that may require uninterrupted power.
This is not the first time Genesee has faced utility-related disruptions in recent months. The community has dealt with other infrastructure challenges, including a residential fire that destroyed a Genesee home — a reminder of the importance of well-maintained utility systems and emergency preparedness at the household level.
For those with questions about the planned outage or to confirm whether their address falls within the affected service area, Avista encourages customers to contact the company directly through its customer service channels.
Residents experiencing safety concerns related to downed power lines, electrical equipment, or other utility hazards are always advised to call Avista and, if necessary, 911. Power-related incidents can quickly escalate — as local emergency responders in Latah County are well aware. For more on public safety matters across the region, visit Idaho News for statewide coverage.
What Comes Next
The rescheduled planned outage is set for Tuesday, April 28, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Genesee, Idaho. Avista has indicated that all approximately 337 affected customers will receive advance notification. Traffic control will be active on Laurel Street north of Chestnut Street during the work. Residents should monitor communications from Avista for any further schedule changes or updates leading up to the work date.