Power Outages Hit Puget Sound: Thousands Left in the Dark

As a powerful storm system sweeps through the Pacific Northwest, thousands of residents across the Puget Sound region are finding themselves without power. According to KIRO 7 News Seattle, the outages are widespread, affecting multiple counties and leaving many in the dark.

The storm, which brought heavy rain and strong winds to the area, has caused significant damage to the power grid, resulting in outages that are expected to last for several hours. Crews are working tirelessly to restore power, but the process is slow-going due to the extent of the damage.

Affected Areas

The power outages are not limited to one specific area, with reports of outages coming in from multiple counties, including King, Pierce, and Snohomish. The hardest hit areas include:

• Seattle: Over 10,000 residents are without power in the city, with the majority of outages reported in the north and east sides.
• Tacoma: More than 5,000 residents are in the dark, with outages reported in the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Bellevue: Over 3,000 residents are without power, with outages reported in the downtown area and nearby suburbs.

Cause of the Outages

The cause of the outages is attributed to the strong winds and heavy rain that hit the area, causing trees to fall and power lines to break. The storm also brought with it a significant amount of debris, which has made it difficult for crews to access damaged areas and restore power.

"The storm was intense, with winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour and heavy rain causing flooding in some areas," said a spokesperson for the power company. "We understand the frustration and inconvenience this has caused, and we are working around the clock to restore power to all affected areas."

Restoration Efforts

Crews are working diligently to restore power, with multiple teams deployed throughout the affected areas. The power company has also brought in additional resources, including crews from neighboring counties, to help with the restoration efforts.

"We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers as we work to restore power," said the spokesperson. "We will continue to work around the clock until all power is restored."

Safety Precautions

Residents are advised to take necessary safety precautions, including:

• Avoiding downed power lines and reporting them to the power company immediately.
• Using flashlights or battery-powered lanterns instead of candles to avoid fires.
• Keeping refrigerators and freezers closed to maintain food safety.

For the latest updates on the power outages and restoration efforts, residents can visit the KIRO 7 News Seattle website or follow them on social media.

We will continue to provide updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.