Missoula residents cleaning up after storm

(MISSOULA)- High winds that appear to have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage also mean a lot of extra work for some Missoula residents this week, as they clean up from the storm.

The sudden, and unexpected storm, swept off the Bitterroot Divide around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, slamming into Lolo and the south side of Missoula. The winds were estimated to be as strong as 70 mph in some areas, although there's no official speed measurement gear in the areas hardest hit. 

Much of the damage was confined to the Upper and Lower Miller Creek neighborhoods, as well as Target Range and parts of the South Hills. 

Dozens of trees were ripped out by the roots during the high winds, toppling across fences and narrowly missing a number of homes. However, many houses suffered roof damage as shingles and gutters were ripped away, leaving expensive repairs to be done.

Fortunately no one was hurt, although several thousand residents lost power for a time.