Washington power outages: Thousands still without power as Puget Sound rebounds from windstorm
SEATTLE - Thousands of people are still without power Wednesday as rain, snow and gusty winds hit the greater Seattle area.
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At one point, more than 20,000 people were without power across Washington state. Heavy winds brought down trees across the region, including in Federal Way where a large tree fell on a home and a vehicle.
(FOX 13 Seattle)
Customers Impacted by Outages as of 9:15 a.m. Jan. 10:
- Puget Sound Energy: 1,984
- Seattle City Light: 475
- Snohomish County PUD: 1
- Tacoma Public Utilities: 21
- Lewis County PUD: 4,448
- Peninsula Light Company: 692
- Cowlitz County PUD: 428
- Clark County PUD: 2, 178
Transportation officials reminded drivers again to be extremely careful, plan ahead and avoid driving over the passes if you can.
Powerful 'bomb cyclone' brings mountain blizzards, power outages to Pacific Northwest
Over 100,000 people lost power across western Washington and Oregon during the peak of the storm early Tuesday morning as wind gusts reached 40-60 mph as blizzard conditions raked the Cascades and Olympics.
Crews worked to clear several crashes on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass, where drivers were going too fast for the conditions.
FOX 13 meteorologist Brian MacMillan said travel over the mountain passes would be dangerous if not impossible Tuesday into Wednesday. A Blizzard Warning has been issued for the Cascade mountain passes for the first time in 11 years.
Winds are gusty in the lowlands with heavy rain at times.
Showers will linger through Wednesday will several more inches of mountain snow. Temperatures will take a dive Thursday through the weekend. This will make for potential rain/snow showers for the Puget Sound lowlands.
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How to prepare for a storm
According to Ready.gov, if there's a chance you could experience a power outage for an extended period of time, you should take an inventory of all devices that rely on electricity.
Plan to stock up on batteries and secure other power sources such as a portable charger or power bank. It's also recommended to have a flashlight for every person living in your home.
Speaking with your medical provider before the likelihood of a power outage is also recommenced.
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Many medical devices rely on electricity. And medications, like insulin, need to be refrigerated. So, Ready.gov says to ask your doctor specific questions that pertain to any devices or medications you may need that are critical for life.
Another important topic to consider is food storage. Be sure to stock up on enough nonperishable food and water for every member of your household. And if the power goes out, keep your refrigerator and freezer closed for as long as possible.
Power outage tips from Ready.gov (FOX Weather)
Your refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours, and a stocked freezer will keep foods frozen for up to 48 hours.
The USDA recommends that you don't store food outside in the cold if your power goes out during the winter. Temperatures can vary, making food unsafe to eat. Wild animals can also carry diseases that can make you sick if you eat contaminated food.
Ready.gov advises people to install carbon monoxide detectors with a battery backup on every floor and don't under any circumstances use a generator indoors or near windows.
Don't use a gas stove or oven to heat your home, and be sure to disconnect all appliances when the power goes out. Power may return without notice, and that surge of electricity can cause damage to appliances or your home.
Who to call when your power goes out?
- Puget Sound Energy: View and report outages - Call: 1-888-225-5773
- Seattle City Light: View and report outages - Call: 206-684-3000
- Tacoma Public Utilities: View and report outages - Call: 253-502-8602
- Clallam County PUD: View outage map - Call: 360-452-9771 or 800-542-7859
- Jefferson PUD: View and report outages - Call: 360-385-5800
- Mason County PUD #1: Call: 360-877-5249
- Mason PUD #3: Outage map - Report an outage - Call: 360-426-8255
- Pacific Power: Report an outage - Call: 877-508-5088
- Peninsula Light Co.: Report an outage and view outage map - Call: 877-853-1388
- Snohomish County PUD: Outage map - Call: 425-783-1001
- San Juan County: Outage map