Car hits pole, cutting power to thousands

Electricity was knocked out for 1,164 Flathead Electric Cooperative customers Monday morning after a car hit a power pole at West Evergreen Drive and U.S. 2. shortly before 8 a.m.

Power was out from the Evergreen area extending into the eastern side of Kalispell. Traffic signals were out along U.S. 2 stretching as far as Main Street in Kalispell.

Service was restored for most people by 10 a.m., according to Wendy Ostrom-Price, communications director for Flathead Electric Cooperative.

The Montana Highway Patrol reported on its website that no one was injured in the accident.

It was one of 17 accidents —  including five in Kalispell, four in Whitefish and two in Columbia Falls — reported Monday because of slick conditions on area roads caused by Monday morning’s snowfall.

Most of the accidents did not involve injuries.

Area drivers should be aware that more snow, plus rain, is in the forecast this week for the Flathead Valley.

Snow showers are expected to give way to rain today and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Missoula.

High temperatures should be in the mid-40s today and Wednesday.