West Seattle power-outage update: Highland Park, Puget Ridge, and beyond go dark late Saturday night; some back on

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11:45 PM: We’re not sure of the extent yet, but power flickered here and apparently has gone out in at least part of Highland Park.

11:48 PM UPDATE: This is the biggest outage for West Seattle in this storm, by far. At least 2,100 customers, per City Light’s outage map. It’s stretching into parts of White Center and South Park. Adding a screengrab from City Light’s map. There are some reports of what looked like “explosions” so possibly a blown transformer in HP.

11:56 PM UPDATE: The map also shows Puget Ridge and part of North Delridge affected. And it shows what looks like two outages – one listed as 2,105 customers, another as 972, so more than 3,000 may be out.

12:54 AM UPDATE: If you have to do any early-morning driving, note that some stoplights are out – including 8th/Roxbury (which is dicey in even the best conditions) and 1st/Myers on the way to/from 509 – Roxbury had lights between those two spots, though.

5:45 AM UPDATE: As noted in comments, some of the 3,000 who were out have power back. Here’s who’s still out:

The map, however, is classifying these areas of West Seattle and South Park as three outages that started around 4 am, though if you compare you’ll see they’re part of the previous outage zone. The restoration guesstimate currently is noon.

6:46 AM UPDATE: Jeremy says in comments that Highland Park Way remains closed. We’ll be out checking on that when it’s a bit lighter – and will also be checking on a holdover from Saturday’s earlier problems, the dangling-tree-in-lines situation that had 35th SW closed between Avalon and Alaska.

7:47 AM UPDATE: SCL’s map has now adjusted the start time back to when the outage really started – about quarter to midnight last night – and the number of customers out now totals about 1,300.

9:40 AM UPDATE: We’ve mentioned the road updates in a separate story. And good news, more people have their power back – fewer than 800 are shown as being out now. Separate from the electricity, Comcast is reported to be out for some.

10:11 AM UPDATE: Now, about 443 still out.

2 PM UPDATE: Thanks to everybody for updating with comments! Tally’s down to 382 and the new guesstimate is 5:30ish – could be sooner (as were some of the restorations overnight) or later.

Janet August 29, 2015 (11:50 pm)

8th ave 8100 block power out.

Westside August 29, 2015 (11:50 pm)

Saw two bright flashes spaced a few seconds apart (transformers blowing?) as power went out here in Puget Ridge.

Kat Carper August 29, 2015 (11:52 pm)

Its out over here on 12th and holden, I was washing my hands in my bathroom when the lights flickered then went out leaving me in complete darkness… Anyone know what caused the outage yet or when it might be on again?

WSB August 29, 2015 (11:59 pm)

There’s no estimate for restoration yet and even when there is, remember, they are just “guesstimates.” We’ll keep updating as best we can – especially during storms, we take our 24/7 commitment very seriously. – Tracy

DJ Allyn August 29, 2015 (11:54 pm)

39th South of Morgan is still lit. It flickered, but I am happily snug in my place with power. (knock on wood)

Jochen August 29, 2015 (11:57 pm)

7900 block 9th Ave out

Ray August 30, 2015 (12:00 am)

I am right in the middle of the White Center outage shown here, and I have never lost power. I had flickering this afternoon, but nothing in the last 5 hours.

But I can see some outages to the West of me.

WSB August 30, 2015 (12:01 am)

There are as you probably know from years past some places where a neighbor can be on when you’re out. Happened in 2006 and have seen it since.

Stephanie August 30, 2015 (12:02 am)

I heard several blasts as well. There are wires down at SW Othello and Highland Park Sw.

Jaynne August 30, 2015 (12:03 am)

we are on highland park and Holden and we saw 2 flashes spaced apart. We heard a few sirens coming up the hill to probably fix the transformers.

jgonplay August 30, 2015 (12:04 am)

Dark here on 14th near Seattle.college. Flickered a couple times then stayed out. Hope all are safe out there.

Ray August 30, 2015 (12:06 am)

True. Just giving a realtime status report.

Meg August 30, 2015 (12:06 am)

Yep our power is out 9th Ave sw and Elmgrove.

Cathy August 30, 2015 (12:08 am)

They just closed Highland Park Way at SW Holden

datamuse August 30, 2015 (12:12 am)

I saw them too, Westside, and heard a series of loud bangs.

Kelly August 30, 2015 (12:23 am)

Transformer blew on the corner of Holden st and Highland Pk Dr, right outside my apartment. Police and fire trucks on scene – several power lines are down.

Cathy August 30, 2015 (12:25 am)

Just saw an estimate at SCL mobile site that estimated 10 pm tomorrow for power restoration

Allison August 30, 2015 (12:33 am)

Yikes, I feel lucky to still have power. At 30th and Roxbury. Stay safe everyone!

Kat August 30, 2015 (12:55 am)

On the power outage map it says its estimated to be back on around 8 AM I’m hoping they’re right.

WSB August 30, 2015 (2:11 am)

Said it before but please keep in mind those are only estimates … SCL has explained this before and honestly, sometimes I wonder why they bother with them at all … but could be sooner, too, so here’s hoping.

kathleen hunt August 30, 2015 (3:27 am)

6000 block of 18th Ave SW out.

dom August 30, 2015 (3:55 am)

10th Ave SW here in White Center is still without power. When can we expect this to get fixed?

Data attached August 30, 2015 (4:58 am)

Power just came on on 8400 9th block.

Joann August 30, 2015 (5:24 am)

Street lights and houses along 9th Ave SW near Elmgrove have power again. Still out on 8th Ave though.

Jen August 30, 2015 (5:30 am)

Saw the three flashes last night, then woke up just now to continued outage. Thought, “Huh, I better call SCL and see what’s up,” but instead checked the WSB as I knew the info would be there. As usual, you guys rock it!

miws August 30, 2015 (5:31 am)

Wow. Looks like it just missed me in the 9000 block 16th.

I was asleep when it went out, but certainly would have woken up if my BiPAP machine went down.

Mike

Kelli August 30, 2015 (5:59 am)

Was awakened to 3 very loud bangs with along with three flashes of light in the alley behind us (between 44th & 45th north of Admiral). Our power is still on but a fire truck just pulled up.

Jeremy August 30, 2015 (6:06 am)

Update 6:00-several trees down on highland park way several power lines down due to down trees,highland park way is closed and not one city light worker to be seen-looks like it will be awhile before we get power back.our whole neighbor hood is out.

WSB August 30, 2015 (6:46 am)

Thanks, Jeremy. City Light was bringing in a round of new crews at 5 am, according to a tweet last night, but they’re still working citywide – follow the link to the outage map and the north end is still in the worst shape.

local August 30, 2015 (6:34 am)

Still out at 16th and SW Orchard, near Riverview Park this morn.

K August 30, 2015 (6:42 am)

Power still out here at HPView. Sigh, just went to the grocery store yesterday too.

Jm August 30, 2015 (7:05 am)

Still no power at river view 16 & myrtle..
Anyone have update on restore?

WSB August 30, 2015 (7:25 am)

You can check City Light’s latest guesstimate any time by going to the outage map and clicking “your” outage. Since we last updated a bit earlier, it’s changed from noon to 12:35 pm. http://www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat/map.asp

nicole August 30, 2015 (8:00 am)

Still out Trenton & 14th

Kevin August 30, 2015 (8:00 am)

Just east of Fairmount Playground on 37th Ave SW and still out of power since 12:30pm yesterday. And we’re still not on the outage map… There was a crew working for hours last night but still no power. (Edit — one of our neighbors mentioned power might come back in a hour from what he was told… Fingers crossed!)

Low Bridge August 30, 2015 (8:20 am)

Power is on but no Comcast at 16th sw & sw Trenton. Teaching the children about DVDs.

Jochen August 30, 2015 (8:48 am)

Power is out on 7900 9th Ave even though it appears that down the road it’s back on.

Darryll August 30, 2015 (8:56 am)

We have power but no Comcast as well. 17th & Henderson.

Highland park August 30, 2015 (9:16 am)

11ave Sw still out. Food in freezer/fridge- safe to keep ? How long before it goes bad?

Jeanine August 30, 2015 (9:28 am)

Use a thermometer to take the temp of something in your fridge. The less time it spends above 40F the better. Things like cheese and condiments should be safe, but when in doubt, throw it out.

miws August 30, 2015 (9:40 am)

Darryll, more weirdness as to how sporadic outages can be. My Comcast, both cable and internet, gave been just fine all morning. And we’re “neighbors”.

Mike

Alan August 30, 2015 (9:40 am)

Just drove by HP Way at Holden. There is a crew at Holden and another at Othello. Street is blocked in between still.

Highland park August 30, 2015 (9:52 am)

Yay power came back just now

Kayle August 30, 2015 (9:54 am)

16 sw and Webster still no power

Jeremy August 30, 2015 (10:07 am)

For those who live near highland park way:Latest eta from SCL-expect power to be on no sooner than around 3:00pm.

Alan August 30, 2015 (10:08 am)

Still out in Riverview

WSB August 30, 2015 (10:11 am)

It’s down to 443 now.

LisaB August 30, 2015 (10:33 am)

Crews have the hill for Highland Parkway closed and are working. 7-11 (Holden & 16th) closed and dark, Redbox not working. The little store at 9th and Highland is closed and dark. Have power but Comcast is out here 9th and Kenyon. Looks like we got lucky according to the map. FYI there are more cars parked on the street due to parking lot gates not opening. Not a lot of debris though. Thanks WSB!!

Joann August 30, 2015 (10:54 am)

Just got power back at 8th and Elmgrove, ahead of the 12:35pm estimate. The crews are working hard out there.

HPMom August 30, 2015 (10:55 am)

Our little neighborhood just east of HP Way/Holden (in the greenbelt) just got our power back on about 15 minutes ago. Yay!

Riebate August 30, 2015 (10:57 am)

Power is back on in my building at Highland Park Way SW & SW Holden. :)

Hildie August 30, 2015 (12:38 pm)

Lucky us…STILL NO POWER near Riverview ballfields in Highland Park

Dakota August 30, 2015 (12:48 pm)

Riverview still no power–estimated restoration was 12:35 but I just called and hotline said no estimated restoration time available.

Alan August 30, 2015 (1:38 pm)

Estimated restoration per the map is now 5:24pm. Seems a bit precise.

Cathy August 30, 2015 (1:39 pm)

Mobile site now says 5:30pm

jgonplay August 30, 2015 (1:43 pm)

Outage map just updates with new estimate of 5:24p

frankn August 30, 2015 (1:43 pm)

Riverview (14 Ave SW/SWMyrtle) dweller here: new map update says 5:42pm for fix.

Home Economist August 30, 2015 (3:45 pm)

For those concerned about your refrigerator or freezer, don’t open it until the power comes back on, and then take the temperature of the contents. If it’s a fairly modern refrigerator – say, anything made after 2001 – it can stay cold for up to 24 hours if you don’t open it (which I know is a temptation, or something done out of force of habit – especially if you have kids around)

jgonplah August 30, 2015 (4:53 pm)

Outage map now shows est as 9:28p

Rib August 30, 2015 (5:04 pm)

Power still out in Puget Ridge. Just called SCL they now say estimate for restoring power is 10 pm.

local August 30, 2015 (6:03 pm)

Does SCL say what’s causing the delay??

WSB August 30, 2015 (6:05 pm)

They’re still working on it. We went by HP Way again earlier this afternoon, City Light crews plainly visible just down the hill if you look from Holden.

Dannii August 30, 2015 (6:22 pm)

Still no power on Ash Way, Lynnwood. Not showing as an affected area on the map so was wondering if there was any estimated times for repair?

WSB August 30, 2015 (6:28 pm)

Hi, Dannii – That’s way way out of our coverage area. Is Snohomish PUD your utility? I don’t believe Seattle City Light goes anywhere near that far up.

Alan August 30, 2015 (6:59 pm)

Just back from a walk to Holden. I sent a couple of shots,in case you can use them. A Utility locator truck left at that point. I am wondering if they had to wait for the locator service before replacing the pole(s).

Alan August 30, 2015 (7:37 pm)

The new estimate is 1:30 am.

Rg August 30, 2015 (8:00 pm)

SCL says 1am now for Highland Park. Third world country now.

Hildie August 30, 2015 (8:41 pm)

Does anyone know what the heck has happened that is causing these repairs to take SO long??? It would be nice if SPU could be more specific on their phone line…My goodness! Whatever it is, it was probably an existing problem that the storm managed to highlight and expose. I’m so impatient with these repairs…it seems ridiculous somehow…

Know your city August 30, 2015 (9:05 pm)

SPU is the water department.

Rg August 30, 2015 (9:09 pm)

Hildie – totally agree!

Nicole August 30, 2015 (9:24 pm)

Its strange some of our neighbors and people across the street have power but not us? We’re just a few blocks south of the highlighted area on 16th so we assumed we were a part of that mess but now maybe not… :(