Pacific Storm Knocks Out Power for Over 150,000 in Seattle Area

A powerful Pacific storm slammed into the Washington coastline on Saturday, October 25. The fierce winds caused widespread damage and triggered massive power outages. Tens of thousands of residents across the Seattle metro area were left in the dark.

The National Weather Service had issued wind warnings as the system moved inland. The storm’s intensity resulted in at least one fatality and significant disruption to electrical infrastructure.

Utility Companies Scramble Amid Widespread Damage

According to Puget Sound Energy, more than 117,000 of its customers lost power. Outages were concentrated in Pierce and Thurston counties. The scale of the damage overwhelmed initial response efforts.

Other utility providers reported similar crises. Seattle City Light said over 32,000 customers were affected. Grays Harbor PUD dealt with 17,000 outages, and Snohomish County PUD reported 5,000. Restoration crews worked through dangerous conditions to assess the damage.

Record-Breaking Winds Fuel the Chaos

The National Weather Service upgraded forecasts to a wind warning for Grays Harbor. Sustained winds reached between 50 and 65 mph. These gusts were strong enough to cause severe damage.

Hoquiam Airport recorded a powerful gust of 77 mph shortly before 8 pm. Westport saw a 71 mph gust that knocked a downtown live camera offline. The storm also brought heavy rain, with Sea-Tac Airport reporting about 1.25 inches.

The wind advisory remained in effect until 5 am Sunday, October 26. Forecasts predicted a 90 percent chance of rain continuing into the workweek. The community was urged to stay away from downed power lines.

The Seattle power outage serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to severe weather. Restoration efforts continue as the community recovers from this disruptive storm.

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How many people lost power in the Seattle outage?

Over 150,000 customers were affected across multiple utility providers. Puget Sound Energy reported more than 117,000 outages. Seattle City Light had over 32,000 customers in the dark.

What caused the massive power outage?

The outage was caused by extremely strong winds from a Pacific storm. Gusts reached 77 mph in some areas, snapping trees and damaging power lines. The National Weather Service had issued a wind warning for the region.

When is power expected to be fully restored?

Utility crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible. The full restoration timeline depends on the extent of the damage. Customers should check their provider’s official website for specific updates.

Were there any casualties from the storm?

Tragically, the storm caused at least one death. A 31-year-old man was killed near Roy when a tree snapped during a community event. This was reported by the Seattle Times.

Which areas were hit the hardest?

Pierce and Thurston counties saw the highest concentration of outages. Grays Harbor was also severely impacted, with record-breaking wind gusts. The entire Puget Sound region felt the storm’s effects.