Storm damage leaves Stehekin isolated as crews work toward long restoration

STEHEKIN — A series of severe storms has left the remote Stehekin Valley grappling with widespread infrastructure damage, limited access, and extended power outages, underscoring the vulnerability of communities at the far end of Lake Chelan that are reachable only by boat, aircraft, or trail.

Heavy rain, flooding, and debris slides damaged roads and utilities throughout the valley, cutting power to much of Stehekin and blocking sections of Stehekin Valley Road. Early damage assessments reported multiple mud and debris slides, flooding, and the destruction of the National Park Service water treatment facility, raising concerns about access, drinking water, and mobility for residents.

Sheriff’s deputies reached Stehekin by boat to assess conditions and later identified isolated groups of residents unable to travel up or down the valley due to road damage. While many residents were equipped to shelter in place, officials determined that some areas required assistance. The Sheriff’s Office coordinated delivery of bottled water and supplies and planned air support missions to reach isolated residents as conditions allowed.

As of the most recent update from Chelan County PUD, restoration work remains ongoing, with Stehekin among the hardest-hit areas in the region. While power has been restored to most customers across Chelan County following the storm, dozens of Stehekin customers may remain without electricity for a week or more, depending on weather conditions and safe access to damaged infrastructure.

Chelan PUD reported that helicopter inspections identified significant road damage in the Stehekin Valley and approximately a dozen downed power poles. A diesel generator is currently providing limited electrical service from the powerhouse toward Silver Bay, though the Stehekin landing area remains without power. The Company Creek powerhouse and penstock were not damaged during the storm.

Because Stehekin is not accessible by road from the rest of Chelan County, restoration timelines are heavily dependent on weather windows and safe transport for crews and equipment. Chelan PUD said it is coordinating closely with Chelan County Emergency Management and the National Park Service to support recovery efforts and ensure public safety while repairs continue.

Elsewhere in the county, electrical service has largely been restored from Cashmere to Stevens Pass following outages that at their peak affected more than 15,000 customers. Crews also continue work on fiber optic internet restoration in the Lake Wenatchee and greater Leavenworth areas, where hundreds of customers experienced service disruptions due to storm damage.

Utility officials encouraged residents to prepare for additional weather systems forecast for the coming days by charging devices, stocking essential supplies, and monitoring outage information. In Stehekin, officials emphasized that recovery will take time due to the extent of damage and the challenges of working in a remote environment where access is limited and conditions can change quickly.

For now, Stehekin residents continue to rely on temporary power solutions and coordinated support as agencies work toward full restoration of services in one of the region’s most isolated communities.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media