West Seattle windstorm updates: 2 major power outages so far, both fixed fast

(SCROLL DOWN for updates … ROAD HAZARD? 206-386-1218 … POWER OUT? 206-684-3000)

(Added: WSB photo, wind-swept waves at Constellation Park)

FIRST POWER OUTAGE REPORT, 8:41 AM: Thanks to those who texted – the power’s out for more than 4,800 homes and businesses:

Seattle City Light‘s map says the cause is under investigation. While you’ll see “estimated restoration” times there, PLEASE remember that those are only guesstimates and almost always, the actual time is something completely different – could be much earlier or much later.

9 AM: Commenters report Alki Elementary and Pathfinder K-8 are without power. We are checking with Seattle Public Schools.

9:17 AM: About a third of those who lost power have it back – thanks to Tony in Seaview for first word on that.

9:20 AM: Our crew just stopped by Alki Elementary. Aside from the lack of electricity, it’s “business as usual,” and classes continue.

9:40 AM: City Light says a tree is to blame for the outage. Don’t know exactly where. Meantime, thanks for the texted photo of this tree down by Sanislo Elementary:

The texter says it’s *not* blocking the road. Sanislo DOES have power. Alki and Pathfinder remain the only schools that lost power, but district spokesperson Stacy Howard tells WSB that they have enough natural light to keep classes going.

9:52 AM: Photojournalist Erika Schultz says Pathfinder’s back on – it was a pocket outage all along, on Pigeon Point:

10:06 AM: Thanks for the texts and comments about more power restoration – Alki, Beach Drive, Genesee Hill. Waiting for City Light map to update. (1 minute later) Looks like everyone’s back on – if you’re NOT, please be sure to call SCL – 206-684-3000.

SECOND POWER OUTAGE, 10:17 AM: Almost immediately after that outage was resolved, a new one has hit – Puget Ridge, Riverside, points south, 2,100+ customers per City Light map:

10:25 AM: Just got a texted report of wires down on Beach Drive near Cormorant Cove Park (3700 block).

11:02 AM: Thanks for the updates – the SCL map verifies that the SECOND outage is now over, in less than an hour. That includes Sanislo. Again, if you are still without power somewhere, please call to be sure SCL knows – there might be pocket outages here and there.

11:26 AM: While the power’s back for all except a spot here and there (here’s the “live” map), the storm is still going full strength – we’ve just been down and around a few spots including Constellation Park south of Alki Point, adding photo (top).

11:57 AM: We’ll be launching an afternoon edition of storm coverage soon. Meantime, latest trouble spot we’ve heard about is south of West Seattle – trees down on the north lanes of 1st Avenue South near 116th, in Top Hat.

91 Replies to "West Seattle windstorm updates: 2 major power outages so far, both fixed fast"

  • Rick Sanchez November 17, 2015 (8:42 am)

    Seaview out as of ten minutes ago

  • janet November 17, 2015 (8:43 am)

    Genesse Hill…

  • Funrunner November 17, 2015 (8:43 am)

    Lights have been flickering on 35th and Elmgrove

  • CanDo November 17, 2015 (8:44 am)

    Power seems to be out around the Morgan Junction area.

  • Leslie Dierauf November 17, 2015 (8:44 am)

    We heard two large “blast sounds” about 10 minutes ago, then the power went out. We are in 3300 block of Beach Drive. Wind and waves are huge right now.

  • WSDEK November 17, 2015 (8:45 am)

    Genesee hill out as well. 3800 block of 54th.

  • Lina November 17, 2015 (8:45 am)

    Lights just flickered here at 35th and 98th. Fingers crossed and wishes for everyone to have a safe day.

  • WS Neighbor November 17, 2015 (8:46 am)

    Power out on Genesee Hill as of 8:40 am

  • Deb November 17, 2015 (8:47 am)

    Anyone know if Alki Community Center has lost power? Thanks

  • Gary November 17, 2015 (8:49 am)

    Ours is out in Seaview, 46th and Graham.

  • Sven November 17, 2015 (8:54 am)

    West side of 50th at Charlestown is out, east side of the street has power. Oh power grids.

  • Jennifer November 17, 2015 (8:55 am)

    Sea view: Lost power at 42nd & Raymond about 8:45am.

  • Michelle November 17, 2015 (8:56 am)

    Saw something explode down the hill as the power went out-west of Andover and 57th.

  • yumpears November 17, 2015 (8:56 am)

    Power is out at Alki Elementary, so I assume its also out at Community Center.

  • Mama November 17, 2015 (8:56 am)

    Wondering, preemptively, what happens if power goes out at school?

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (8:58 am)

      We’re checking with Seattle Public Schools on that.

  • EmilyC November 17, 2015 (8:56 am)

    Alki Elementary (and the crosswalk at 59th) are out. It looked like the community center was out too.

  • KB November 17, 2015 (8:57 am)

    Power is out at Pathfinder k-8 as well.

  • Lola November 17, 2015 (8:58 am)

    Out at 50th & Alaska since 8:30.

  • Alki Girl November 17, 2015 (8:58 am)

    Alki 62nd is dark and getting cold.

  • Marci Eversole November 17, 2015 (8:59 am)

    I live on Aikins Avenue SW and have a house sitter while I am away. She just called me to tell me the transformer right behind my house blew big time twice about 15 minutes ago, so I figure this is the cause of the outage. Sigh.

  • Lina November 17, 2015 (9:00 am)

    Pathfinder school just lost power, my husband just texted me a picture of his class, he is a teacher there. They are hanging out practicing writing by the flashlights and lanterns in their class camping gear. Sounds actually sort of fun to me.

  • Trevor November 17, 2015 (9:04 am)

    Alki Ave by lighthouse without power.

  • Lola November 17, 2015 (9:04 am)

    My husband just texted me that City Light is at the power pole at 50th & Alaska at 9:00 Am. Keeping fingers crossed it gets fixed quickly for everyone.

  • sc November 17, 2015 (9:06 am)

    When I worked at Boeing in Renton, if we lost power, the generators only kept the lights on for 2 hours, then they sent us home. Not sure if schools have the same set up but I’m guessing not.

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (9:12 am)

      Our photographer was headed to Alki anyway so he’ll stop by the school – can’t get him to PF in the short run, though. Will also see about that SCL crew. And a reminder, if you get your power back, please comment if you can – direct reports are always faster than the SCL map. Or text 206-293-6302 with any related info – thanks! – TR

  • Michelle November 17, 2015 (9:11 am)

    A City Light truck just drove by heading toward the blown transformer on Aikins.

  • Alki Boy November 17, 2015 (9:12 am)

    Alki Girl – go to Starbucks, it is warm there.

  • William November 17, 2015 (9:13 am)

    Power is back in upper Seaview

  • cab33 November 17, 2015 (9:13 am)

    46th & Juneau power was out but back on already.

  • Thomas November 17, 2015 (9:14 am)

    It’s back at 46th and Graham

  • Laura November 17, 2015 (9:14 am)

    Power back on at Fauntleroy and Raymond. Does anyone know the protocol if schools lose power?

  • Ritadixson November 17, 2015 (9:16 am)

    Power is back on California and graham in the Morgan junction

  • Seaview November 17, 2015 (9:20 am)

    Power back on at 49th Ave SW & Juneau

  • Beach Dr November 17, 2015 (9:25 am)

    Is power on at any of the Alki coffee shops?

  • MJRez November 17, 2015 (9:28 am)

    Power back on at 46th and Graham, near the Morgan Junction! For the moment anyways, pretty stormy out there!

  • Jennifer November 17, 2015 (9:30 am)

    Anyone have power back on Beach Dr?

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (9:32 am)

      @BeachDr – Re: coffee shops, if you look closely at the outage map, which is usually fairly accurate point-to-point, it looks like the 61st area, which would include Starbucks/Top Pot, might be OK. Our crew has to come back in right now but will be heading back out a bit later.

  • Mike November 17, 2015 (9:33 am)

    Big Bang and power went off. Just off Admiral above Harbor Ave.

  • Brian Penttila November 17, 2015 (9:41 am)

    Current City Light map shows significant power restored, e.g., near Morgan Junction. Going home to check!

  • Gina November 17, 2015 (9:42 am)

    Anyone hear if Alki Elementary has power yet?

  • J4164 November 17, 2015 (9:42 am)

    Power still out on genesse hill

  • Marci Eversole November 17, 2015 (9:43 am)

    SCL is now at my house on Aikins taking out the tree that took out the transformer. Not sure on how long it will take but they are out there working diligently. I will keep you guys posted as I hear from my house sitter.

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (9:49 am)

      Thanks, Marci! Hope no damage otherwise?

  • Beach Dr November 17, 2015 (9:43 am)

    @jennifer still out on the 3800 block of Beach near La Rustica

  • HappyOnAlki November 17, 2015 (9:48 am)

    On Alki, at least Top Pot and Starbucks are open; don’t know about further east.

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (9:48 am)

      Got a tweet from Tully’s on Alki saying they DO have power.

  • Kris November 17, 2015 (9:54 am)

    Power out at Admiral & 62nd since 8:30am…..stay safe everyone.

  • Chris November 17, 2015 (9:56 am)

    We woke up this morning to the tree sparking at about 5 am, called the FD and they investigated and said they’d contact Seattle City Light… wish they had checked it out before the giant flame that my wife saw immediately preceding the outage! Whoops.

    Update — FWIW, the tree that was in the lines that we saw the sparks and eventual flame is between Hillcrest and Boyd/Aikins

  • radel November 17, 2015 (9:57 am)

    Power still out on 5th by Alki elemtery school

  • Marci Eversole November 17, 2015 (10:02 am)

    Thankfully no damage…I am beyond grateful. Thanks for asking WSB!

  • radel November 17, 2015 (10:03 am)

    Lights back on 59th by Alki elementary school.

  • Kathy November 17, 2015 (10:04 am)

    Yay! Just came back on near Genesee and 54th.

  • Justin November 17, 2015 (10:04 am)

    Power was just restored at my home on 59th Ave SW and Admiral Way. Alki Elementary should have power again now.

  • mmn November 17, 2015 (10:06 am)

    Power back on at 50th and Alaska

  • HappyOnAlki November 17, 2015 (10:06 am)

    Power on Alki — yay SCL!

  • South West November 17, 2015 (10:07 am)

    Power’s back on @ 61st & Admiral! Thank you, Seattle City Light!

  • Lola November 17, 2015 (10:07 am)

    Hubby says power back on at 50th & Alaska.

  • Teresa November 17, 2015 (10:08 am)

    Power back on Frater Ave SW

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (10:11 am)

      Looks from the map like everybody’s back. As we wrote in the narrative above, if you are NOT back on, please make sure SCL knows – 206-684-3000 … we’ve added that number and the emergency road hazard number to the very top of the story in case you need it … TR

  • Kelly M November 17, 2015 (10:11 am)

    Power now OUT at 5th Ave SW and SW Kenyon in Highland Park…

  • Chrissouth November 17, 2015 (10:13 am)

    We just list power. Near Riverview Playfields.

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (10:17 am)

      Just got that. Adding. 2,100+ customers from Puget Ridge southward, some South Park too. Thank you.

  • Anon November 17, 2015 (10:16 am)

    Three booms and no power by Riverview park (Holden and Austin)

  • Jon Wright November 17, 2015 (10:16 am)

    Interesting the way the grid works. We live just west of Alaska Junction and the lights flickered a bunch around 10:00. Was thinking, “Uh oh, we’re next!” but that must have just been the power fluctuating while the areas affected by the outage were brought back online and everything stabilized.

  • Aaron November 17, 2015 (10:17 am)

    Power went out 20 minutes ago in pigeon point . 2100 homes affected.

  • Nancy Whitlock November 17, 2015 (10:17 am)

    Power just went out at Duwamish Cohousing, across the street from SSC.

  • Chrissouth November 17, 2015 (10:20 am)

    Called SCL. 2100 out. Estimate 1:00 before we’re back up

  • Mike November 17, 2015 (10:24 am)

    Power still out in our little neighborhood on Fauntleroy Ave, east of Admiral, above Harbor Ave. City Light checking it out.

  • Jersey girl November 17, 2015 (10:27 am)

    Sanislo has lost power

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (10:28 am)

      Thanks. Just a reminder, the estimates are JUST wild guesstimates. (The original one for the north outage, for example, had a noon estimate – some were back around 9, the rest by 10.) Could be later, could be earlier.

  • Kim November 17, 2015 (10:31 am)

    Alki power back on!

  • Rachel November 17, 2015 (10:44 am)

    Power out at 17th avenue SW and Juneau as of about 15 minutes ago. It’s been reported.

  • Aaron November 17, 2015 (10:52 am)

    Power is restored in Puget Ridge!

  • Kelly M November 17, 2015 (10:53 am)

    Back on at 5th & Kenyon!

  • westcrest November 17, 2015 (10:57 am)

    Power just came back on by
    Westcrest on 9th. That map is wrong.

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (11:01 am)

      City Light’s map lags a bit. But ours is a screen grab from the start of the outage. Just updating now that this outage is over. Thanks!

  • WCTeacher November 17, 2015 (11:02 am)

    Power went out at White Center Heights Elementary for about an hour, is back on now.

  • WS or bust! November 17, 2015 (11:18 am)

    Good time to check on your emergency supplies!

    Have enough water, food, medicines, flashlights, battery radio and, if you have pets, food for them, to last for 3 days. There are more items but this is what I can think of now.

    When, not if, the “big one” (earth quake) happens, be ready!

  • unknown November 17, 2015 (11:22 am)

    Does anyone know about the North Shorewood area? Approx. by 116th and 28th by Shorewood Elementary School

  • miws November 17, 2015 (11:42 am)

    Nothing but the occasional flickers, so far, in S. Delridge/Highland Park, on 16th.

    .

    Kudos to all involved at SCL, from the line crews out there restoring service so quickly, to the planners and whomever else that (presumably) had a plan of action set up, what with knowing this was coming, and also presuming that infrastructure rebuild in the past several years has played a part.

    .

    Mike

  • KM November 17, 2015 (12:07 pm)

    Our Westwood/Sunrise Heights block still looks solid, just a bit of light flickering. We somehow seem to escape all power outages during various storms in our little area, but now that I say that, we’ll probably lose power! Hope everyone is safe and dry out there.

  • Mike November 17, 2015 (12:18 pm)

    We’re back with power. Problem was typical, a tree brushing against a high voltage line.

  • solo November 17, 2015 (12:25 pm)

    I know they probably won’t see this page of comments, but a huge shout-out to those Seattle City Light workers dealing with this storm. I was getting down, thinking about all the food I would have to throw away like the last big power outage, especially because I’m kinda broke, not to mention that I work from home and wouldn’t be able to make any progress on my tight deadline, and then a few minutes later, bang, there was power. It’s flickered on and off since then but it seems like they’re definitely on it–I don’t envy them being out in this mess.

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (12:30 pm)

      I’ll tweet the comment link at SCL – maybe soebody will.

  • unknown November 17, 2015 (12:43 pm)

    Thank you to all who responded to my question!!!

    • WSB November 17, 2015 (1:00 pm)

      FYI to anyone checking in here – we’ve now launched afternoon coverage at https://westseattleblog.com/?p=329455 starting with a couple tree-on-road reports we’re off to check out – TR

  • Alan November 18, 2015 (9:38 am)

    The power outage that included Highland Park yesterday (from about 10-11) had the usual pattern caused by a tree going down on Highland Park Way. You reported at 12:55 that HP Way was closed, due to a tree being down. Were these related or did the tree really come down three hours after the power outage started?

    You were crazy busy with things happening yesterday, so I’m wondering if the blockage just took a while to be reported by your faithful readers.

    • WSB November 18, 2015 (9:54 am)

      The tree and the power outage were not related.

  • Alan November 18, 2015 (10:14 am)

    Thanks!

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