Seattle Power Outage: Thousands Without Electricity

A powerful Pacific storm battered western Washington Saturday evening, leaving tens of thousands of residents without power as high winds toppled trees and damaged electrical equipment across the region. The storm, which brought sustained winds of 50-65 mph and gusts exceeding 77 mph in some coastal areas, resulted in one fatality and widespread disruption throughout the Puget Sound area.

Storm Impacts Across Western Washington

As of late Saturday evening, Puget Sound Energy reported over 165,000 customers without electricity, making this one of the most significant power outages in recent months. Seattle City Light confirmed nearly 34,000 additional customers affected, while Grays Harbor PUD reported 26,734 outages and Snohomish County PUD documented 20,239 customers in the dark.

The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory that remained in effect through 5 a.m. Sunday for most of western Washington. Peak wind gusts reached alarming levels across the region: Hoquiam Airport recorded a 77 mph gust shortly before 8 p.m., while Westport experienced 71 mph winds that knocked its downtown live camera offline. Even Seattle proper saw gusts approaching 37 mph, accompanied by steady rainfall throughout the evening.

Tragic Loss in Pierce County

The storm's most devastating impact occurred in Roy, a small community between Tacoma and Olympia, where a large tree snapped and fell during a community Halloween trick-or-treat event. The incident, which happened around early evening, resulted in one fatality—a 31-year-old man—and left multiple attendees injured. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office confirmed the tragedy, which occurred as families gathered for what should have been a festive community celebration.

Capitol Hill Experiences Transformer Fire

On Capitol Hill, dramatic scenes unfolded when electrical equipment exploded and caught fire at E Aloha and Harvard Ave around 7:10 p.m. Seattle Fire responded to the transformer fire, which initially left more than 700 customers without power along Broadway north of Roy. By 9:38 p.m., an additional 6,000 customers in the Capitol Hill core lost electricity as the storm continued to stress the aging electrical infrastructure.

Utility Response and Restoration Efforts

Power companies mobilized crews throughout the evening to address the widespread outages. Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light officials assured residents that restoration crews were strategically positioned to respond as quickly as possible. However, the combination of high winds, falling trees, and equipment failures created challenging conditions for line workers attempting repairs.

The outages affected diverse areas across the region. Between Mount Vernon and Bellingham, approximately 15 separate outages were reported. Seattle proper experienced about two dozen distinct power failures, while areas south of the city, including Tacoma and Olympia, faced nearly 200 separate outage incidents.

Mountain Passes Face Winter Conditions

The storm brought more than just wind and rain—cooler air moving into the Cascades lowered snow levels to around 3,500 feet. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory effective from 11 p.m. Saturday through Sunday night for the North Cascades region, including popular destinations like Mount Rainier, Snoqualmie Pass, Mount Baker, Stevens Pass, and Crystal Mountain.

Total snow accumulations were forecast to reach 6-10 inches for areas above 3,500 feet, with Mount Rainier potentially receiving 10-14 inches of fresh snow. State Route 410 Chinook Pass and State Route 123 Cayuse Pass closed Friday morning in anticipation of the heavy snowfall, creating travel challenges for residents and visitors alike.

Safety Recommendations During Power Outages

As thousands remained without electricity Saturday night, authorities emphasized several critical safety measures for affected residents:

• Stay informed: Keep a battery-powered radio or charged smartphone available to monitor weather conditions and power restoration updates
• Conserve heat: Close off unused rooms to retain warmth, and use blankets and warm clothing rather than gas stoves or ovens for heating
• Generator safety: If using a generator, place it outdoors away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
• Food preservation: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed—a full freezer can maintain safe temperatures for approximately 48 hours
• Emergency preparedness: Maintain an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishable food, and first-aid supplies
• Community support: Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors who may need assistance during extended outages

Historical Context and Infrastructure Concerns

While Saturday's storm was significant, it wasn't classified as a major weather event by forecasters. The substantial impact on the electrical grid raises questions about infrastructure resilience in the face of increasingly frequent severe weather incidents. Previous outages this year, including a January incident that affected 5,000 Capitol Hill customers due to equipment failure, highlight ongoing challenges facing regional utilities.

The combination of an aging electrical system, mature trees near power lines, and more intense weather patterns creates a perfect storm for power disruptions. Equipment failures at transformer stations, like the dramatic explosion witnessed on Capitol Hill, demonstrate the vulnerability of critical infrastructure components that serve densely populated urban areas.

Looking Ahead: Weather Forecast and Continued Concerns

Meteorologists predicted conditions would gradually improve through Sunday, with winds decreasing into the early part of the week. However, residents should remain prepared for continued scattered showers and breezy conditions. The Gale Watch issued for the northern coast through late Saturday night underscored the storm's intensity and potential for additional disruptions.

For those planning mountain travel, winter driving conditions were expected to persist through Sunday night. Stevens, White, and Blewitt Passes would likely experience steady snow, while Snoqualmie Pass could see a challenging rain-snow mix or sleet, making for hazardous driving conditions.

Conclusion: Community Resilience in the Face of Nature's Power

Saturday's storm served as a stark reminder of nature's unpredictable force and the interconnected vulnerability of modern infrastructure. As utility crews worked through the night to restore power to tens of thousands of customers, the tragic loss of life in Pierce County provided sobering perspective on the real dangers posed by severe weather events.

The incident underscores the importance of emergency preparedness, community awareness, and infrastructure investment. While power companies continue restoration efforts and meteorologists forecast improving conditions, residents throughout western Washington remain vigilant, demonstrating the resilience that defines Pacific Northwest communities when facing nature's challenges.

For the latest power outage information, residents can check their utility provider's outage map online or report outages directly through company websites and mobile applications. As always, safety should remain the top priority during any weather emergency.