BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Lt. Gov. Brad Little has declared a state of emergency for northern Idaho in response to a windstorm that wiped out power for tens of thousands of Idahoans in November.
Little, who is serving as governor while Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is out of the state, announced Monday that Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties will be authorized to use state and federal funds to help pay for the estimated $2.6 million cost of damages.
Winds topping 70 mph whipped through the Northwest on Nov. 17, resulting in snapped power poles and toppled trees that crashed through roofs and crushed cars. Three people died when trees fell on their vehicles, and heavy rains flooded roadways and homes.
Otter on Monday was scheduled to return from a Western Governors' Association meeting in Nevada.
