Power Outage in Washington
Tens of thousands of customers in Washington are without power after strong winds hit the area on Wednesday, leading to widespread outages across multiple counties. The storm brought periods of heavy rain and wind gusts strong enough to bring down tree limbs and power lines in some areas.
As of 11 p.m., approximately 95,000 customers were reported without power. Puget Sound Energy indicated that 53,044 customers were affected, while Seattle City Light reported 5,861 outages. Additionally, Snohomish County PUD noted 12,745 customers without power.
The storm’s impact was particularly severe in King County, where 31,039 customers lost power, and Kitsap County, which saw 16,335 outages. Pierce County reported 16,634 customers without power, and Snohomish County had 11,666 outages.
Wind gusts reached an astonishing 134 mph at the summit at Alpental, contributing to the destruction. Tragically, one person was killed in Monroe when a tree fell on their car, underscoring the storm’s dangerous conditions.
Utility crews across the region are working diligently to restore power to customers as soon as possible. They are facing challenges due to ongoing adverse weather conditions, with winds expected to peak between 40-55 mph along the coast and North Sound, and between 35-50 mph in the interior.
Officials are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm subsides and restoration efforts can proceed safely. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for power restoration, but utility companies are prioritizing safety and efficiency in their response efforts.