Update: Power outage (and lengthy repairs) explained

| Utilities | West Seattle news

We have new information on last night’s power outage – which, as discussed in comments on the original report, continued well into the night for some. City Light spokesperson Scott Thomsen explains repairs were particularly difficult: “The outage started Monday about 6:50 p.m. when a car crash near the corner of 4th Avenue and 96th Street took out two utility poles. In addition to the downed lines, the damage involved four or five transformers. Repair crews had to replace both poles, the transformers and rework the overhead lines for the street. Power was routed around the damage to restore service to as many customers as possible. We still have 51 customers without power while the crews are hanging the last of the new overhead lines. We expect full restoration about noon.” 4th/96th is in unincorporated King County (here’s a map) but still within City Light territory.

WestwoodWriter March 25, 2008 (11:10 am)

I hate to be “that guy” but is there a police report to back up City Light’s claim of a car accident causing a 12+ hour outage? And, were crews working throughout the night or did they take some time off like during the 2006 storm?

WSB March 25, 2008 (11:23 am)

(a) I used to work with Scott (who like me is a veteran journalist) and he gives straight info.
(b) Yes, there is a crash logged here. See the 1 RED call at 4th and 96th.
http://www2.cityofseattle.net/fire/realTime911/getRecsForDatePub.asp?incDate=3%2F24%2F2008&rad1=des

WestwoodWriter March 25, 2008 (11:43 am)

Sorry, I didn’t mean my initial comment to question the WSB reporting, which is always top-notch. I just don’t trust City light as far as I could throw one of their trucks. They’re all making money while the city’s infrastructure crumbles around us, ESPECIALLY in the low-income areas of the city. It’s just SO clear that City Light neglects and ignores low-income parts of the city as a practice.

Jason March 25, 2008 (12:03 pm)

Thanks for the info. I for one am grateful that my power was back up and running so quickly!

MikeDady March 25, 2008 (12:10 pm)

Anyone know who covers the costs of repair on the downed line and damaged transformers? Is the driver billed, or do the taxpayer pay?

I ask as this is the second of two similar power-outage causing crashes that have taken place in West Seattle in less than a week. The other crash took place near 19th and SW Dawson: http://www.komotv.com/news/16867386.html.