Strong winds moved into The Snoqualmie Valley yesterday afternoon and evening, causing power outages across the area.
Puget Sound Energy says that as of 5:20 a.m., they have 416,488 customers out of power.
Today, they focus on critical infrastructure and public safety, as PSE has been fielding many 911 calls for safety/emergency needs. As daylight approached, crews continued assessing more of the region’s overall damage and will provide restoration updates as information becomes available.
They anticipate a multiple-day outage and encourage customers with critical needs to make alternate plans as we work to assess the situation and restore power. Puget Sound Energy updates can be found on their outage page here.
In the Snoqualmie Valley communities, these are the current numbers for PSE customers without power:
- Carnation 242
- Duvall 4765
- Fall City 2124
- North Bend 4659
- Snoqualmie 4277
In an update at 3:14 a.m., Tanner Electric stated that their crews were headed back out to work. The Tanner North Bend substation is down, affecting all North Bend members. This results from PSE’s extensive damage to many of its lines and transmission services caused by the severe windstorm.
Be prepared for an extended outage lasting throughout the night and into tomorrow. Mt Si Road and Middle Fork suffered significant damage to their systems. Restoration is unknown currently.
Updates on Tanner Electric power outages can be found on their Twitter page @tannerelectric or on their outage page here. (The outage map appears to be down. An update will be added when it is back in service) Their phone number is (425) 888-0623.
Mark Davis of North Bend Weather warned of this storm in Monday’s report and will have stats on sustained winds and gusts when power is restored and his weather station comes back online.
Timeline
- 4 pm November 19th, the winds started howling in the Snoqualmie Valley
- 425 pm Tanner Electric reports a tree down on Mt. Si Road
- 753 pm Tanner Electric secures all personnel and vehicles reporting the storm is too dangerous to have the bucket trucks in the air
- 804 pm SR-18 closes both ways between I90 and Issaquah Hobart Road. It is still closed as of 7 am November 20th
- 11 pm Most have lost power in the Snoqualmie Valley. Restoration times are currently unavailable
- 314 am Tanner electric Crews go back to work (thank a lineman if you see one)
City of Snoqualmie Public Works Crews continue to work around the clock in response to the strong, overnight windstorm. The current priority is getting roads open. All available crews have been deployed to address downed trees.
Residents should continue to report downed trees to our Stormwater & Urban Forestry Emergency Line at (425) 736-1613. Downed tree reports are logged and tracked – and will be addressed as soon as possible.
Please be aware, the Public Works Dept. landlines are currently down and cell service is spotty. To report water related emergencies, please use the below numbers until landlines are restored:
Drinking Water: (425) 766-0151
Sewer/Wastewater: (425) 766-1210
Stormwater: (425) 736-1613
Due to ongoing power outages at several schools and hazardous road conditions, all Snoqualmie Valley and Riverview District Schools will be closed on Wednesday, November 20.
All after-school activities and events are also canceled. They appreciate your patience and flexibility as they prioritize the safety of students and staff. The district office buildings will also be closed.
Remember to be safe!
- Never touch or go within 35 feet of downed power lines because they might be energized.
Call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report problems. - Never use a natural gas range for heating.
- Never use propane or charcoal for cooking inside.
- Use flashlights instead of candles.
- Have an AM radio and extra batteries on hand.
- More safety tips can be found at www.takewinterbystorm.org.
- Consider intersections four-way stops if stoplights are not working.
[This story will be updated as more information becomes available]
