Severe Weather Causes Widespread Power Outages
More than 70,000 people were left without electricity across western Washington due to strong winds that swept through the region. The outages were reported by various utility companies, with Puget Sound Energy accounting for the majority of the disruptions.
As of the latest reports, Puget Sound Energy indicated that approximately 62,200 customers were without power. Additionally, Snohomish County PUD reported about 11,400 outages, while Seattle City Light noted roughly 2,500 customers affected.
The National Weather Service had issued a wind advisory for the evening, forecasting wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph across the Puget Sound lowlands. The severe weather conditions have also been linked to a tragic incident, where one person died after a tree fell on a car near Monroe, Washington.
Utility crews are actively working to restore power to affected customers as quickly as possible. By 10 p.m. Wednesday, Puget Sound Energy reported that 53,044 customers remained without power, while Snohomish County PUD indicated that 12,745 customers were still affected.
This windstorm coincides with a Winter Storm Warning and a rare Blizzard Warning in effect for the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, adding to the challenges faced by utility companies and emergency responders.
As of March 11, 2026, Puget Sound Energy reported 11,423 customers without power in Whatcom County, highlighting the ongoing impact of severe weather in the region. The situation continues to evolve, and utility companies are committed to restoring service as conditions permit.
Officials are urging residents to stay safe and be prepared for potential further outages as the weather system progresses. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and restoration timelines.
