Wind leaves much of county in the dark

The powerful wind storm that blasted western Montana last week shuttered Jefferson County schools and knocked out power for thousands of users in Basin, Boulder, Clancy, and beyond, marking the area’s longest blackout in decades.

Gov. Greg Gianforte declared a wind disaster Thursday after hurricane-level gales up to 90 miles per hour, accompanied by rain and snow, uprooted trees, damaged power lines, blew off roofs and knocked out power to more than 35,000 Montanans, according to NorthWestern Energy.

In Jefferson County, winds nearing 75 miles per hour caused widespread damage and forced Boulder and Clancy schools to send kids home early on Wednesday. Boulder schools remained closed on Thursday due to the power outage.