Seattle residents are grappling with widespread power outages as Seattle City Light crews work tirelessly to restore electricity to thousands of customers across the city. The outages, primarily concentrated in North Seattle, including neighborhoods like Northgate and Victory Heights, have left homes and businesses in the dark, impacting daily life for many.
The most significant recent disruption, occurring just yesterday, affected over 21,000 Seattle City Light customers due to a vault fire in an underground electrical system. This incident near Fremont Avenue North and North 107th Street necessitated taking additional feeders offline for crew safety, leading to the broader outage. While Seattle Fire Department confirmed no active fire and handed the scene over, restoration efforts are ongoing with estimated times varying by location.
This follows another substantial outage earlier in the week, where nearly 10,000 Seattle City Light customers in North Seattle, particularly Eastlake and Capitol Hill, experienced a power outage caused by a downed tree hitting a power pole. Though power was largely restored for this incident, the recent string of disruptions highlights the vulnerability of the city’s power infrastructure.
Residents are advised to regularly check the Seattle City Light outage map on the official website for the most current information on affected areas and estimated restoration times. The Seattle power outage map is updated every five minutes, providing vital details for those impacted.
What to do during a power outage:
- Stay safe: Assume all downed power lines are active and stay at least 30 feet away. Call 911 to report them.
- Report outages: Customers can report new outages or check the status of existing ones by calling Seattle City Light at (206) 684-3000 or using their online tools.
- Conserve food: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food.
- Use flashlights: Avoid candles to prevent fire hazards.
- Stay informed: Monitor official Seattle City Light channels for updates.
As Seattle City Light crews continue their complex repair work, residents are urged to exercise patience and prioritize safety. The recent power outage Seattle events serve as a stark reminder for all USA people to have an emergency kit ready.