WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Nearly 8,000 homes and businesses in Walla Walla County are still without power Saturday afternoon from a powerful wind storm Friday.

It could take days to restore power to everyone in Walla Walla after Friday's wind storm.

According to Walla Walla city officials, it could take utility crews another day and a half to restore electricity to all customers.

The National Weather Service recorded wind gusts of 78 miles per hour at the Walla Walla Regional Airport around 10:00 Friday morning.

Those gusts snapped hundreds of trees and power poles across the city. Trees fell on three buildings at the VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, forcing officials to evacuate the buildings and establish an emergency operations center.

No patients or employees were injured during the storm, but all clinics were shut down and appointments for the day were cancelled as a safety precaution.

Emergency services and 911 phone lines continue to operate throughout the storm, and have not been affected by power outages.

Approximately 20 roads throughout the county have been closed because of downed trees and power lines.

The wind was so powerful, several semi-trucks and cars were overturned along Interstate 84 near Pendleton, Oregon, about 25 miles south of Walla Walla. No injuries were reported, but the freeway was closed for two hours while state troopers cleared the wreckage.