Wind storm knocks out power to 500K in WA, OR

SEATTLE - A wind storm in western Washington left hundreds of thousands in the dark Wednesday morning, with power outages persisting into the afternoon.

What's next:

Wind gusts reached up to 71 mph in some areas Tuesday night, with downed trees knocking out power lines across the region. At one point, up to 500,000 people in western Washington had lost power.

The most powerful winds are behind us, but even more winds are expected on Thursday, though not as strong.

FOX 13 is tracking the latest power outage numbers in western Washington for Wednesday, Dec. 17.

WA Power Outages

By the numbers:

Here are the latest numbers as of 7 p.m. Wednesday:

• Pierce: 41,629
• Snohomish: 22,575
• Island: 19,832
• Thurston: 7,645
• Clark: 9,333
• Kittitas: 3,126
• Skagit: 2,016
• King: 1,836
• Lewis: 1,179
• Cowlitz: 743
• Grays Harbor: 440 

Dig deeper:

On Tuesday, strong winds knocked out power to more than 50,000 customers, most being in Snohomish, Kitsap, Skagit and North King County.

Much of the western Washington area remains under a flood watch, with flood warning issued for several local rivers.

Customers experiencing power outages are asked to stay away from downed power lines, check online for updates on restoration times, and report the outage to your local energy provider.

Keep reading for more tips on dealing with power outages.

• Stay Informed: Keep a battery-powered radio or use your smartphone to stay updated on weather conditions and power restoration efforts.
• Conserve Heat: Close off unused rooms to retain heat and use blankets and warm clothing to stay warm. Avoid using gas stoves or ovens for heating.
• Use Generators Safely: If using a generator, ensure it is placed outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Preserve Food: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain cold temperatures. A full freezer can keep food frozen for about 48 hours.
• Emergency Kit: Have an emergency kit ready with essentials such as flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishable food, and a first-aid kit.
• Check on Neighbors: Look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbors who may need assistance during the outage.
• Residents are encouraged to report outages to their respective utility providers and to follow safety guidelines to ensure their well-being during the storm.

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