Tag: power outage

Crews Restore Power After Outage Affects About 12,900 Homes, Businesses

Crews worked through the night to restore power to approximately 12,900 customers. While crews worked to restore power to an earlier outage, four circuit breakers relayed offline causing a cascading effect and a small substation fire. The sequence of events led to a larger outage. Affected areas in parts of Ballard, Magnolia, and Queen Anne were returned to power by 6:15 a.m. this morning, Saturday, January 20. The cause of the original outage is still being investigated.

Power Outage Affecting 12,900 Customers in Parts of Ballard, Magnolia, and Queen Anne

Seattle City Light  crews are working to restore power to about 12,900 customers in parts of Ballard, Magnolia, and Queen Anne. While working to restore power to an earlier outage, four circuit breakers relayed offline causing a cascading effect and a larger outage. The Seattle Fire Department is responding to a small fire that resulted in the Broad Street Substation.  An early estimate for restoration is later this morning, Saturday, January 20. Customers can get updated outage information at www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat.

Customers Asked to Help with Final Restoration Efforts by Re-reporting Remaining Outages

Seattle City Light is asking all customers who are still experiencing power outages to re-report those outages to ensure crews have an accurate picture of the work that remains.

In many instances, crews have made repairs only to have circuits fail a short time later. Among the circumstances in which this can happen, is when equipment was weakened by the initial outage and failed after the line was re-energized. It can also happen when continuing winds cause new damage.

If you are currently without power, please call City Light at (206) 684-3000 to report it, even if you have reported that outage earlier.

The phone system will ask you to press t 1 to report an outage, which will require the phone number associated with your account or the account number. You will then receive an automated status update. Press 1 again to talk to a live person and wait while the system transfers you to a representative.

Thank you for your help. An accurate picture of current outages will help crews get everyone back into service as quickly as they can.

High Wind Warning: Be Prepared for Potential Outages

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for the Seattle area, and it will remain in effect until 9 p.m. tonight. Seattle City Light is readying supplementary crews and resources in order to respond to potential outages, and you should be ready too. While wind-related outages are not a sure thing this evening, we want you to be prepared in case they do occur.

If you experience an outage, please report it by calling (206) 684-3000. You can also visit the Seattle City Light Outage Map to get updates on restoration work, as well as following City Light’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Here are some tips to stay safe and warm during an outage:

  • Stay Away from Downed Power Lines – Downed power lines are extremely dangerous. If you come across any downed lines, do not approach or touch anything in contact with the wire as it could be energized and live. If you see a downed power line, call 911 or (206) 684-3000. You can also report downed power lines by sharing it through City Light’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.
  • Be Cautious with Generators and Grills – Use generators with care during a power outage and always use portable generators outside in well-ventilated areas. Never plug a generator into your home circuitry. Instead, plug in appliances directly into the outlets on the generator. When it comes to the grill, do not use barbeques indoors.
  • Keep Warm and Bundle Up – Try to retain as much heat as possible. Close windows, curtains, unused fireplace dampers, and have blankets ready to conserve body heat. Cold weather is especially hard on infants, children and the elderly. Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, covering the head, feet and hands.
  • Have Your Emergency Kit/Plan Ready – Prepare an emergency kit if you haven’t already. Some ideas to include are a working flashlight, glow-in-the-dark stick lights, wind-up clock, portable radio, manual can opener and mylar blanket. During a major storm, have a plan for locating family members in case you are not with them. For more information about emergency kits and plans, please visit: www.takewinterbystorm.org.
  • Use Hot Water Sparingly – Most hot water tanks will retain heat for up to 24 to 72 hours.
  • Close Your Refrigerator/Freezer – Keep your fridge and freezer closed as much as possible. A full refrigerator will maintain safe temperatures for up to six to 10 hours; a full freezer up to 2 days. In most cases, food should be safe if refrigerators and freezers remain closed while the power is out. When in doubt, throw it out.
  • Unplug Electrical Appliances – If you experience a prolonged outage, be sure to turn off electrical appliances to prevent fires and equipment damage. Some electrical appliances to consider unplugging before a storm hits are computers and televisions.
  • Be Fire Safe – Do not use candles as a light source nor any open flame as a heat source.
  • Have Your Phone Ready – Cordless phones will not work without electricity. Have a corded or cell phone available. If your cell phone is your primary phone, make sure it is charged and you have a phone charger ready.
  • Electric Garage Owners – Know how to use the manual override of your electric garage door if your power goes out.
  • Remember Your Pets – Household pets such as cats, dogs, fish and birds may require special care. Contact your veterinarian for more information.
  • Life-Support Customers – If you rely on electric life-support machines, make sure you have emergency power and know how to operate it. Make sure your system has an alarm to alert you if the power goes out.
  • Report the Outage – If you want to report a power outage, please contact the Seattle City Light Power Outage Hotline at (206) 684-3000. Please remember to give us your name, address, phone number and describe any unusual circumstances that could help us identify the problem.

Power Outage Affecting 7,300 Customers in Renton/Skyway

City Light crews are responding to an outage in Renton/Skyway affecting approximately 7,300 customers. The outage started at 5:30 p.m. and is affecting two circuits and appears to be tree-related. The early estimate for restoration, based on historical data, is midnight. Customers can get more information at: http://www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat/

Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public electric utility in the United States. It has some of the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to about 750,000 Seattle area residents. City Light has been greenhouse gas neutral since 2005, the first electric utility in the nation to achieve that distinction.