Power outage from south Arbor Heights into White Center & beyond: Equipment failure

(Screengrab from Seattle City Light map)
12:40 AM: First reports of a power outage came from 25th/107th area, shortly after major rain started to fall – and now the Seattle City Light outage map shows more than 4,200 homes/businesses are out of power, from the south end of West Seattle south and southeastward. So far, no cause listed – just that SCL is “investigating” – but the start came around the time a downpour began, and at least one tipster reports big lightning accompanied it.

1:26 AM: City Light says it’s restored power to about a third of the homes/businesses affected, but that still leaves about 2,600 without electricity.

1:57 AM: Down to fewer than 1,000.

6 AM: Still almost 600 customers out, in the South Park area per the SCL map.

3:09 PM UPDATE: Everybody was back as of earlier today. City Light’s Scott Thomsen tells WSB a “failed insulator” caused it.

17 Replies to "Power outage from south Arbor Heights into White Center & beyond: Equipment failure"

  • Ray August 13, 2014 (12:49 am)

    From Delridge and Trenton, I have been on my computer all evening, and no power outage. Not even a flicker.

    • WSB August 13, 2014 (12:55 am)

      No flicker here either on the Upper Fauntleroy/Gatewood line. But steady rain for going on an hour or so!

  • Melissa August 13, 2014 (1:29 am)

    What’s happening on Fauntleroy near Austin ST? Part of Fauntleroy is blocked and cars are being rerouted along 46th. Looks like firetruck and police cars?

    • WSB August 13, 2014 (1:30 am)

      I am just going out into the rain to check that out, no other way to find out. Missed the original call but I suspect it’s some kind of crash – there was a medical call about half an hour ago to the 7600 block of Fauntleroy.

  • cj August 13, 2014 (1:31 am)

    We had lights going low and back [kind of creepy lol] but no actual black out. Fauntleroy near the park.

  • Erin August 13, 2014 (1:51 am)

    I did not see any cars that may have crashed, I was coming from ferry. Police tape has it all blocked off, about 5 or 6 cop cars .

  • JB August 13, 2014 (1:52 am)

    Power back on at 25thSW & 112th SW

    • WSB August 13, 2014 (2:08 am)

      Thanks!

  • Patti August 13, 2014 (7:40 am)

    Here at Arrowhead gardens 2nd SW & Olson pl no electricity at all!! Any idea what when where and how?

  • Kat August 13, 2014 (7:48 am)

    Power still out at arrowhead been out since midnight any news on when it will be back ?

  • KM August 13, 2014 (8:25 am)

    Any more information on the crash on Fauntleroy? It was a single car that spun out into a yard and hit the utility pole — but wondering what any outcomes were.

    • WSB August 13, 2014 (11:16 am)

      One car, hit a tree, serious injuries to one person but not believed to be life-threatening, speed possibly a factor, per SPD and SFD people from whom I *just* heard back.

  • Grumpy at Arrowheads August 13, 2014 (9:01 am)

    Power back on at Arrowhead Gardens. Thanks!

    But there were 3 very distinctive loud booms before all the power went out! At each boom the power tried to come back on but finally at the 3rd loud boom all power went completely out around midnight.

    Any one hear that and know where those loud booms came from?

  • Helga August 13, 2014 (3:27 pm)

    Any word yet on what actually caused the outage?

    • WSB August 13, 2014 (3:33 pm)

      Yes, that’s at the bottom of the story.

  • Shorewood August 13, 2014 (8:55 pm)

    Power is out again in Shorewood

  • onyx August 13, 2014 (9:06 pm)

    Power out again – ambaum&116th

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