Strong winds and steady rain moved through western Washington on Wednesday, knocking out power to tens of thousands of customers and toppling trees across the region as utilities reported widespread outages intensifying throughout the afternoon and evening.
As of 5 a.m. Thursday, Puget Sound Energy reported outages affecting 48,228 customers. Seattle City Light listed 1,168 customers without power. In Snohomish County, the PUD reported 2,548 customers without power. Tacoma Public Utilities reported 180 customers without power.
Many of the outages reported by Puget Sound Energy are on the Eastside along the Interstate 90 corridor leading up to Snoqualmie Pass. The storm brought periods of heavy rain and wind gusts strong enough to bring down tree limbs and power lines in some areas. Crews are working throughout the region to assess damage and restore service.
Utilities urged residents to stay away from downed power lines and report outages through official company websites or hotlines. They also said conditions are expected to gradually improve as the storm system moves out of the area, though scattered showers may linger.
Officials say it’s never safe to approach a power line that is on the ground. These lines can still be energized and electrocute people. Residents should stay at least 30 feet away from any downed power line and call the utility company to report it. If the fallen line is life-threatening, for example, causing a fire or touching an occupied car, call 911.
During power outages, utilities recommend turning off lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer, unplugging computers and sensitive equipment to protect them from surges when power is restored, and leaving one lamp on to know when power returns. Residents should never use gas ovens, barbecues or portable heaters for indoor heating as they create carbon monoxide. For food safety, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed, as a fully-loaded freezer will keep food frozen for two days. Residents should throw out meat, seafood, dairy products and cooked food that does not feel cold.
