(SCROLL DOWN for updates)
2:12 PM: Don’t know how extensive it is because it’s not yet on the Seattle City Light outage map, but we’ve received multiple reports of a power outage affecting West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) and vicinity. Checking it out; more to come.
2:16 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says lines are down by the Seattle City Light facility at 42nd and Morgan (photos added); traffic is being rerouted at 41st/Morgan. Still trying to determine the extent of the outage – let us know if you are without power. Thriftway is still open, with generator power.
2:24 PM UPDATE: Still no official word on this from SCL but it’s stretching into part of Gatewood (including the Caffe Ladro block) as well as across Fauntleroy to other businesses, according to commenters. Our crew did see SCL crews at their facility northeast of Thriftway.
2:35 PM UPDATE: Reached an SCL spokesperson – while their system shows dozens of calls about this, it’s not showing an official tally of who’s out, yet, so that’s why this is still not on their online map. They’re checking to find out why.
2:41 PM UPDATE: Here’s the scoop from SCL’s Peter Clarke: The outage in this area doesn’t show because it’s something of a “black hole,” an old part of the system (scheduled to replaced soon!). If you are out, CALL THEM because otherwise they don’t know! Another crew has to be sent out to replace the line that came down (we’re adding a photo shortly), and so they are estimating power might not be back until about 5:30 pm.
3:40 PM UPDATE: No new info – if you’re caught in the outage, please let us know when your power comes back, since there won’t be any other obvious signs, without the status map being involved. In a bit of irony, checking City Light’s website, we did find it’s the first day of Public Power Week.
5:16 PM UPDATE: As some have commented and City Light has just verified, some of the power is back on.
(WSB photo: Crews working at about 5 pm)
SCL estimates 6:30 pm before everyone is connected again.
5:23 PM UPDATE: One WSB’er told us she had heard a rumor that a balloon was somehow involved – and, unprompted, SCL spokesperson Scott Thomsen has just told us this: “We received reports that mylar balloons could have been the initiating cause of the outage. When mylar balloons get tangled in power lines, they can cause a short, which would open the breakers on the line. When the breakers open, it does shake the equipment and a wire can come loose from a connector. The safety note here is to keep mylar balloons attached to weights that keep them from flying off so they don’t get stuck in the wires.”
6:34 PM UPDATE: The 42nd/Morgan spot where the wires had come down is reopened, our crew says after driving by a few minutes ago. But commenters are reporting some areas still without power. If that doesn’t change soon, we would suggest calling City Light to make sure they know you’re still out, since as discussed earlier this is an area where they couldn’t tell the extent of the outage without hearing from customers.
8:07 PM UPDATE: Comments and e-mails suggest everyone – or almost everyone – has the power back now. Let us know if you’re still out!
| 69 COMMENTS