Spokane closes schools all week after damaging storm

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Public schools will be closed for the rest of the week in Washington state's second-largest city as it deals with the aftermath of a destructive windstorm that has left tens of thousands without power for nearly a week.


Spokane Public Schools decided Monday afternoon to cancel classes all week for the district's 29,000 students. The district said downed power lines and trees blocking sidewalks where children walk pose a danger and led to the closure.

Kids haven't been in school since last Tuesday, when a windstorm snapped power poles and toppled trees that crashed through roofs and crushed cars. Three people died when trees fell on their vehicles.

Some 33,000 customers are still without power in Spokane County after the storm damaged the electrical grid. The forecast calls for snow Monday night.