WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Storm updates, PM edition – power outages for thousands; trees down

(SCROLL DOWN for updates … City Light outage map HERE … Power outage tips HERE)

(Added: Late afternoon video from Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook on Beach Drive)

3:02 PM: After the midday lull, the storm is back at full force, with rain and wind. Since the homeward commute is getting close, we’ll be tracking weather, traffic, and transit closely for the next few hours; the National Weather Service expects the wind to continue through “early this evening.” Updates to come.

4:07 PM: 25-customer power outage in north Morgan Junction, first one in West Seattle this storm. We have been out checking the wind and waves on Beach Drive. If you live there, you might find your trash/recycling bin(s) in the street.

Thanks to the texter who just shared that photo of tree trouble at Alki Playfield.

4:36 PM: Beware of deep road puddling – Harbor Avenue a block north of the bridge and Beach Drive by Weather Watch Park (video above) are two spots we’ve been through so far. (Added) Also, the bottom of the SW Genesee hill between Avalon and Delridge. And there’s a 35-customer power outage south of Schmitz Park.

4:47 PM: Add a Delridge outage south of Thistle. Not mapped yet.

(Photo tweeted by @skwash)

Remember, if stoplights are out, it’s an all-ways stop!

5:04 PM: Thanks for all the updates in comments. We have been stuck in outage traffic on Delridge. Can confirm the outage starts just south of Juneau.

5:24 PM: Back at HQ. Sylvan/Morgan was out until just east of 35th; then on 35th, heading southbound, power went out at Othello. Citywide, more than 64,000 customers are out of power; the big West Seattle outage has at least 3,500 out and commenters are mentioning multiple transformer fires. Other smaller outages too – the Beach Drive area now has a 78-customer outage. Again, as we just experienced firsthand, driving/riding is very slow going and precarious right now – if you can stay where you are for a while, that would be a good thing.

Thanks to Christine for that photo of the tree that fell across north Marine View Drive.

5:46 PM: The Vashon Water Taxi is done for the night, a few runs early, because of “weather-related issues.” But West Seattle IS still running … Also, JRR says in comments that tonight’s Friends of Roxhill Elementary meeting is moved to TOMORROW (Tuesday) because there’s no power at the school. If you have any cancellations/postponements/closures for tonight, please let us know, whether by comments or our other messaging channels, thanks!

Seattle Public Library confirms what a commenter mentioned, that the Southwest Branch has closed early because of the outage. Westwood Village is also reported to be out – we have our crew heading over to check if it’s the entire center.

6:18 PM: Just reported the Westwood Village assessment here. Staples appears to be the biggest store without power:

But it’s NOT a centerwide outage. … UPDATES ON OTHER OUTAGES: Beach Drive is now up to 113 customers, with a midnight restoration estimate (remember that the “estimates” are really just guesses, per City Light, which still has 61,000+ customers out citywide in 138 separate outages) … Three more road notes: Our crew that went to Westwood says Barton has a serious puddle near the crossing from the RapidRide stop; SDOT says a tree is down near California Way/California Lane … and we’re just hearing a dispatch for a tree reported down near 13th and Roxbury. Speaking of Roxbury:

“No frozen foods, but the liquor section is open!” Theresa adds.

6:51 PM: When you get your power back, please let us know via comments or our hotline (text/call 206-293-6302) – we’re watching the City Light map but it doesn’t retain info on when outages end. Meantime, though most of north West Seattle still has power, it has other wind trouble – Mike sent this from 48th/Oregon:

And near California/Hill, a power pole is leaning, and the sender was concerned that there had not been an emergency response there yet, at least as of about half an hour ago:

7:19 PM: Something that’s NOT canceled or postponed tonight – the West Seattle Education Fair (which we’re co-sponsoring) IS on as scheduled, since there’s no outage trouble in The Junction. Until 9 pm at 40th/Edmunds.

Meantime, taking a closer look at the outage map, it appears the big mostly-east West Seattle outage is actually considered two, with a total of more than 7,500 customers. And there are more than half a dozen smaller outages around West Seattle alone, from one customer to more than 100; the restoration guesstimates are all in the 11 pm to midnight vicinity. … The outages might affect your cable even if you have electricity; Michael in North Admiral is only getting one channel, for example.

7:39 PM: From the scanner, 20-foot tree reported down blocking 21st SW in 4100 block [map] on Pigeon Point.

8:46 PM: We’ve been out checking on a few things. The wind has calmed considerably. But the West Seattle power outages haven’t been fixed yet; the eastern half of the biggest one shows a new restoration guesstimate of 2 am. Other repairs will take a while too – just got this photo of a streetlight down on 36th between Andover and Dakota:

There’ll be a lot of sweeping and raking to do tomorrow – lots of leaves and twigs evident on some of the residential streets we just drove.

9:18 PM: Thanks to everyone who has commented/texted to say your power’s back. Should be reflected on the map soon so we know who’s still out.

9:25 PM: Not showing yet so … Highland Park, High Point, Sunrise Heights, Westwood, South Delridge are the areas we’ve heard from so far, as well as southeast Fauntleroy. And … while we haven’t lost power tonight, our lights just flickered. Hoping that’s for a good reason like more restoration. Citywide, City Light now has 46,000 customers left without power.

Meantime, it should be noted that the weather alert has expired as scheduled (it was in effect through 9 pm), so forecasters indeed see things getting back to normal. But there’s still a lot to clean up and repair; firefighters for example have just been sent to the 10100 block of 31st SW for the latest “wires down” call.

10:01 PM: The City Light map now reflects more of the restored areas, with the smaller near-half of the big outage now no longer shown.

MIDNIGHT: SCL still shows more than 4,500 West Seattle customers without power. If you’re among them, please let us know when you get it back.

5:58 AM: Looks like the last major outage pocket is along Delridge north of Orchard/Sylvan.

99 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Storm updates, PM edition - power outages for thousands; trees down"

  • Taxi rider November 13, 2017 (3:42 pm)

    Is the water taxi running?

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (4:06 pm)

      No cancellations announced. We are on Beach Drive right now, will check dock on the way back. (Added) Yes, running and headed back downtown from Seacrest right now.

  • Justducky November 13, 2017 (3:53 pm)

    North Morgan Junction power out. Called Seattle city Light to report. 

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (4:06 pm)

      Thanks!

  • Lamont November 13, 2017 (4:44 pm)

    Major power flicker on Alki

  • Andi November 13, 2017 (4:47 pm)

    Power out in north Arbor Heights.

  • dp hi pt November 13, 2017 (4:48 pm)

    The power just went out in high point. Heard three loud pops down in greenbelt like transformers giving out.

    • 1000amys November 13, 2017 (4:54 pm)

      Heard those in Puget Ridge! Lights flickered but didn’t go out. 

      • 1000amys November 13, 2017 (5:01 pm)

        Seattle Fire reports “transformer fire” in the 6700 block of 25th SW, which would be just west of Delridge. 

        • WSB November 13, 2017 (5:11 pm)

          I think we pulled over for the engine headed that way. Will be back by the scanner shortly.

  • J242 November 13, 2017 (4:48 pm)

    Power just went down on Delridge near Westwood.

  • Cait November 13, 2017 (4:52 pm)

    Roxhill (32nd Street block) power out

  • Joleen Christopherson November 13, 2017 (4:53 pm)

    Power out at 32nd between Barton and Roxbury.

  • Jason November 13, 2017 (4:53 pm)

    Power out at 30th and Kenyon 

  • Swiss miss November 13, 2017 (4:55 pm)


    Saw this 

  • D Burns November 13, 2017 (4:55 pm)

    Most of Westwood Village is out :(

  • Jeff November 13, 2017 (4:57 pm)

    Fauntlee Hills just lost power. 

  • Westcrester November 13, 2017 (4:57 pm)

    Power out in Highland Park at 7th and Cloverdale. 

    • Westcrester November 13, 2017 (9:19 pm)

      Power back on at 7th and cloverdale. 

  • Swiss miss November 13, 2017 (4:58 pm)

    Saw this when walking back from QFC around 3pm. Had a small sign on the side walk saying ‘don’t walk here look up’ underneath the broken sign. If I wasn’t shielding from the rain and looking down I would have missed it! 😳

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (5:54 pm)

      I was looking for that a few hours ago after someone e-mailed us about it – either they had it fixed before I got there or it was really hard to tell! Thanks for the photo!

  • Sam November 13, 2017 (4:58 pm)

    Outage in highland park as well. City reporting line is busy.  Looks like power is on west of 17th and perhaps south of trenton. But I’m not going outside!

  • Holli November 13, 2017 (4:59 pm)

    Power out Sunrise heights Austin Street & 35th. Appears west of 37th has power.

    • Sukie November 13, 2017 (5:05 pm)

      Just called City Lights and estimate for our outage (on Austin, west of 35th) is 11 pm.

    • KB November 13, 2017 (5:45 pm)

      Austin West of 37th is out on the North side of the street.  The house on the corner of 37th and Austin on the South appears to have power. 

      • Holli November 13, 2017 (7:52 pm)

        @KB Thank you for adding more details.

        @Sukie Hopeful that 11pm estimate comes through.

  • AG November 13, 2017 (4:59 pm)

    Out completely most of Westwood. 31st near Trenton is down completely. No flickers. Fingers crossed that it comes back fast! 

  • t November 13, 2017 (5:00 pm)

    Sounds like hell is breaking loose on Genesee/Admiral line. Sirens non stop. Plus power flickering 5-6 times in last few hours.

  • JayDee November 13, 2017 (5:11 pm)

    Please people drive according to the weather–45 on the West Seattle Bridge under these conditions is insane.  Plus there is a huge puddle at the Admiral Exit (As usual with the leaves). Slow down.

  • Kathleen B November 13, 2017 (5:15 pm)

    A bunch of people on the Sunrise Heights Facebook group are reporting their power is out.  The City Light outage map is consistent with this.

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (5:18 pm)

      Yes, 35th goes dark starting at Othello southward.

  • waikikigirl November 13, 2017 (5:16 pm)

    Power out for just a few minutes in the Shorewood area but the lights keep dimming and flickering now.

    Keep saying “we’re going to get a generator” this just may be the winter we do!

  • M November 13, 2017 (5:17 pm)

    Power went out at the Southwest pool around 4:45pm .My child was in the middle of his lessons. It was scary but the instructors was helpful and got the kids out fast.  Stay safe everyone 

  • Tyler November 13, 2017 (5:20 pm)

    Most if not all of Sylvan Heights neighborhood right by Home Depot is out of power 

  • Petert November 13, 2017 (5:22 pm)

    Transformer blew and caught fire at 5900 Beach Drive. Neighborhood is out.

  • Bonnie November 13, 2017 (5:24 pm)

    No power in upper Fauntlee hills. 

  • Stormk November 13, 2017 (5:28 pm)

    Power out at 39th and Henderson 

  • Josh November 13, 2017 (5:30 pm)

    Does anyone know if Westwood village has power? Starbucks or QFC perhaps? 

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (5:40 pm)

      Josh, upthread people reported Westwood as being out and City Light is swamped so I think fixes will take a while. We’ll go over to check in a bit, though, to verify – we have a roving crew now too.

    • LilWash November 13, 2017 (5:57 pm)

      I was just a QFC and the pet store 5 minutes ago and they had power. The deli line at QFC is a zoo.

    • W jarv November 13, 2017 (7:30 pm)

      7-11 on 16 – Holden has power. Holden power on north side of street but not south side at 17th- Delridge7-11 on 16-Holden 

  • Megan November 13, 2017 (5:30 pm)

    Tree down across  of Marine View Drive! Traffic can still get by in the north bound lane

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (5:39 pm)

      Thank you – is it the tree I just added a photo of (Christine sent it while we were out)? Won’t be able to get there to check for a while.

  • Boats November 13, 2017 (5:31 pm)

    Mmmm… road pudding.

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (5:45 pm)

      Boats, you had me worried I was missing the “l” in puddling – but no, managed to type that accurately despite updating via the phone. Whew.

  • miws November 13, 2017 (5:36 pm)

    Only some flickers here so far in the 9000 block of 16th SW in S. Delridge. 

    PSA: If your power is out, or goes out, PLEASE be sure that anything that produces heat is turned off! There were two recent incidents, within an hour of each other, and less than a mile apart, in Kirkland of house fires that were apparently caused by stoves that were left on when the power went out, and the residents had left home.


    Mike 

    • Diane November 13, 2017 (7:25 pm)

      excellent tip Mike

  • D. November 13, 2017 (5:37 pm)

    Power out at the southwest Library; they closed. 

  • waikikigirl November 13, 2017 (5:47 pm)

    Christine and Megan…what cross street is that tree down on MVD?

    • Lloyd November 13, 2017 (5:55 pm)

      don’t forget calling 684-road  684-tree.   I think there are crews waiting to receive requests.

      Road blockages, signs down etc.

    • Megan November 13, 2017 (6:39 pm)

      just south of the jig in the road- after Roxbury

  • Marty2 November 13, 2017 (5:49 pm)

    Seattle City Light Outage Map says they hope to have power back on in the Westwood/Roxhill area by 11:00 PM.  Keeping my fingers crossed.

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (5:53 pm)

      Our standard caveat … those estimates are pretty much just guesses. Could be later … but also, as happened in one recent outage, could be much earlier! 65,000+ are out citywide, though, so SCL crews have a lot to do. Don’t open your refrigerator – the longer it stays closed the longer the food will stay usable … we’ll look up some more power outage tips and add them. – TR

  • Dcn November 13, 2017 (5:52 pm)

    My neghbor’s very tall tree fell down on 28th near Thistle. It thankfully missed her house and is not blocking a road, 

  • Matt Brubeck November 13, 2017 (6:10 pm)

    At Summit Atlas charter school (southwest corner of 35th and Roxbury), a large section of chain-link fence from the construction site has blown partly into the roadway on eastbound Roxbury. Drive carefully!

  • Dave November 13, 2017 (6:11 pm)

    Is Comcast out for folks in the 44 th and Andover area

    • mdh November 13, 2017 (7:00 pm)

      Yep… just one channel “BBC” on right now.

  • Trickycoolj November 13, 2017 (6:12 pm)

    D’oh!! Why didn’t I check the Power was on before I bought food at Costco??  Oh well. Roasted chicken by Ryobi lantern tonight. 

  • WSB November 13, 2017 (6:16 pm)

    Adding this above too – our crew at Westwood says some places have power, some don’t. Staples and its neighbors are out. Businesses in the middle from Barnes & Noble north, don’t. But Target, Bed Bath Beyond, McDonald’s, QFC, and the businesses north of QFC do. – TR

  • AmyB November 13, 2017 (6:17 pm)

    We seem to be in a tiny pocket of okay power. SW Austin St. just west of 16th Ave SW. But lots of wind as everyone is getting.

  • Canton November 13, 2017 (6:19 pm)

    Safeway’s power was out, as were lights on Barton. As of around 6, Qfc still had power.

  • South Delridge Gal November 13, 2017 (6:25 pm)

    We are in South Delridge on 20th near Thistle. Power is out. Then about 30 mins ago we heard gunshots coming from south of here. Called 911 and they said multiple calls were coming in about the gun fire. Be safe out there!!

  • P November 13, 2017 (6:32 pm)

    I went to the drive up chase about an hour ago. Was making two transactions. Between transactions lights flickered and the ATM showed it was out of service. In case anyone is making a bank run. 

  • Trickycoolj November 13, 2017 (6:44 pm)

    Pizza Hut delivery drove through my dark street in High Point so there’s an option for hot dinner. 

  • 22blades November 13, 2017 (6:47 pm)

    If the ferry is running, you might not want to be on it. I was on a foot ferry during the bad wind storm in the early 90’s. from Bremerton. The skipper was obviously having a hard time controlling it into the wind. When I saw all the USN seamen wide eyed, I thought I got more than I bargained for just getting to work.

  • K November 13, 2017 (6:53 pm)

    The taco trucks in white center are open! 

  • Mike November 13, 2017 (6:57 pm)

    Power still on in North Admiral but stay away from California and Hill St. power pole broken and leaning and looks like it will fall.  No authorities have responded to multiple calls about it.  Too much going on I guess. 

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (7:05 pm)

      I just added a photo of that – if you were the one who sent it (it only showed a phone # as the sender), thank you.

  • Kersti Muul November 13, 2017 (7:06 pm)

    When the utility estimates an outage restoration, it is as Tracy said; an estimate. Crews have to ascertain first what caused the outage before they can fix it. They also may have to wait for grounds, then replacement equipment, which may not be available as soon as we would like. This work is extremely hazardous. Another factor is dispatching tree crews, when necessary-who also may have to wait for grounds. 

    I worked for PSE and trust me, as annoying as it is to be without power, the demands put on the folks restoring are exhausting. Safety takes time.

    My two cents. Also transformers rarely blow. You’re hearing the fuses blowing.

  • RickB November 13, 2017 (7:53 pm)

    Seen on my way home a while ago:

    • Signs for the West Seattle bridge exit from SB 99 broken with a big chunk on the roadway.
    • Shredded billboard on the east side of that same part of SB 99.
    • Traffic light at the East Marginal Way/1st Ave S/99/509 intersection (just north of 1st Ave S bridge) completely out. Traffic was very slow but moving. Did see at least one person cruise straight through without stopping though!
  • westcrest November 13, 2017 (7:57 pm)

    QFC is open and isn’t as busy as I expected. McDonald’s has a super long line though.

    Also! Please remember to stop at stoplights!! They’re harder to see right now but I’ve been watching cars fly through them all night. 

  • Sukie November 13, 2017 (8:28 pm)

    I am monitoring the outage map here:

    http://www.seattle.gov/light/mobile/outagemap.asp

    I no longer see Austin (west of 35th) on the map and wonder if power is still out or if it’s a mistake. I’d rather not come home if power is still out. Is anyone from the block able to verify? Thanks!

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (8:34 pm)

      Austin is still dark for a few blocks west of 35th. In honor of how we started after the 2006 windstorm (long story), I just drove to check. (Added after I drove back to HQ: The outage ends at 39th.)

    • Dan Keller November 13, 2017 (8:38 pm)

      Have had power all day and night so far here in the Admiral District at California Ave SW and SW Hanford.  Just one little flicker about a hour ago.

  • Sukie November 13, 2017 (8:41 pm)

    Thanks Tracy for letting me know. I guess we’ll stay out a little longer. Wish me luck with a 3-year-old. 

  • Moonbeam November 13, 2017 (9:11 pm)

    On the power outage map, some of the locations north of Roxhill that had an eta of 11 pm for restoration now say 2am.

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (9:16 pm)

      Yup, noted that above a little bit ago. But as evidenced with some just getting their power back, could be sooner, could be later!

  • Jeff November 13, 2017 (9:15 pm)

    Power just came on in Fauntlee Hills. 

  • Joleen Christopherson November 13, 2017 (9:15 pm)

    Power is back at 32nd and Barton!

  • YYinWS November 13, 2017 (9:16 pm)

    Lights just came back on at 30th sw & Thistle! Woo Hoo!

  • David November 13, 2017 (9:17 pm)

    Power back on in Sunrise Heights.

  • Deborah November 13, 2017 (9:19 pm)

    Power back in Highland Park.

  • Rachel Fleischman Baskin November 13, 2017 (9:19 pm)

    Power back on at 24th and Thistle!

  • L. Hamerly November 13, 2017 (9:20 pm)

    Power is back in Highpoint

  • South Delridge Gal November 13, 2017 (9:21 pm)

    Power has returned to 20th and Elmgrove! 

  • joe November 13, 2017 (9:23 pm)

    Power just popped on at 9:11pm on top of the hill 34th near Othello

  • J November 13, 2017 (9:24 pm)

    Power back on at Delridge and Thistle

  • DH November 13, 2017 (9:25 pm)

    South Delridge has power. At least around 20th/Thistle. The map had been changed here to 2:00am too. Hope those waiting get theirs soon!

  • DM November 13, 2017 (9:25 pm)

    Power back on at 15th Ave SW between Holden and Webster.

  • Elisa November 13, 2017 (9:35 pm)

    here’s that light pole down on 36th, must have happened around 4:30? crazy to see it in the dark with the light on!!

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (9:37 pm)

      I’m hearing on the scanner that firefighters have just arrived in the area and are going to tape it off for now.

  • Marilyn Mears November 13, 2017 (9:35 pm)

    We have power in Arbor Heights, but have no comcast (land line, TV or internet since late afternoon.  Per Comcast , expect it to come back on around 4:45 am.

  • Que November 13, 2017 (9:39 pm)

    power on at 35th and Trenton.  Traffic Lights are functioning again.  

  • Robin November 13, 2017 (9:46 pm)

    Power came on at 32nd and 104th for a few minutes, and then I heard the transformer explosion, and now we’re in darkness again! 

    • WSB November 13, 2017 (9:48 pm)

      That must have been the flicker we saw here. Happens sometimes – one outage earlier this year threw more people off when some got restored.

  • Hoku November 13, 2017 (9:52 pm)

    Estimated time for power restoration to my Arbor Heights home was midnight – just arrived home at 9:45pm to power on. Yay!

  • Erin A November 13, 2017 (10:10 pm)

    I had power back for about an hour, but it just went out again :(. Highland park. 

Sorry, comment time is over.