UPDATE: 8-hour power outage after crash in northeast West Seattle

poleandcar
(WSB photo, added 6:51 pm: At left, vehicle – being towed – that hit pole)

5:59 PM: Thanks for the tips: Power is out in parts of northeast West Seattle, and apparently it’s not all shown on the outage map, which now shows 15 customers out in Pigeon Point/North Delridge – at and near Delridge/Andover – but we’ve also heard from Victoria in Riverside, who says “we are out down here too,” on 16th and 17th SW. This is likely related to a crash in the 4500 block of West Marginal Way SW that another texter says involved a vehicle hitting a utility/light pole – we’re checking on that. If you’re also out of power but NOT on the City Light map, please let us know in comments (after you’ve called SCL to let them know your outage is not showing – 206-684-3000).

6:04 PM: Now the map is updated to 356 homes/businesses out of power. Adding a screengrab.

6:51 PM: Just back from the crash scene, which is on the east side of West Marginal Way SW – affecting the northbound lanes – just north of the Duwamish Longhouse. The pole was snapped in two and dangling; the vehicle that hit it was about to be towed. Adding photo. Meanwhile, some have the power back – the count is down to 288 on the SCL map. One crew was at the scene and reported to be calling for more help.

7:39 PM: As reminded by commenters, this is affecting some traffic signals too – if you arrive at one that’s not working, that makes it an all-way stop – do NOT go through without stopping.

9:23 PM: The SCL map has now recalibrated the restoration guesstimate to “pending,” which seems in line with what commenter Amy found out.

11:56 PM: The outage is now in its seventh hour, with the current potential restoration time estimated around (corrected) 4 am. (Let us know if you’re back sooner!)

1:52 AM: And after about eight hours, the outage is over.

30 Replies to "UPDATE: 8-hour power outage after crash in northeast West Seattle"

  • Bruce November 26, 2016 (6:02 pm)

    Dawson St & 18th ave sw block also out

    • WSB November 26, 2016 (6:02 pm)

      Thank you!

    • Ray November 26, 2016 (8:01 pm)

      What is ETA for power restored W 18th street & Brandon West Seattle?  Why doesn’t Seattle City provide recording updates to service outages instead of dead end call routing?  

      • WSB November 26, 2016 (8:08 pm)

        The restoration estimates are fairly useless anyway. Still 9 pm-ish per map (click the little pin in the blob covering your area on the map) but again, as we have reported here time and time again, could be much earlier, could be much later.

  • Mike Bollen November 26, 2016 (6:02 pm)

    Just lost power again this time about 5:55pm and I’m on 23rd Ave SW & Brandon. One block east of Delridge. 

  • Amy Thomson November 26, 2016 (6:03 pm)

    We are very close to the crash site and our power is out on Puget Way SW.

  • photon November 26, 2016 (6:04 pm)

    We’re out as are all of our neighbors on 23rd b/t Brandon and Findlay. 

    It went out for about 20 seconds a while ago (30-45 min?) but came right back on. Now it’s been out for about 10 minutes.

  • photon November 26, 2016 (6:05 pm)

    We’re out, as are all of our neighbors on 23rd b/t Brandon and Findlay. 

    It went out for about 20 seconds a while ago (30-45 min?) but came right back on. Now it’s been out for about 10 minutes.

  • photon November 26, 2016 (6:08 pm)

    BTW, any explanation for why an outage like this is so spotty? Seems like a weird pattern and I’m curious how it works. 

  • Avery November 26, 2016 (6:25 pm)

    Power out here at Delridge and Brandon on the east side of the street, but not at the library across the street…weird. 

  • Keden November 26, 2016 (7:01 pm)

    The stoplight under the bridge is out as well. 

  • Carl November 26, 2016 (7:13 pm)

    Photon – based on my recollection of the lines they have in that area, my guess is the outage probably happened the way it did because it affected different feed lines for the affected neighborhoods. The first blip because of the surge/ground protection kicking in, the second extended outage because they’ve cut power to isolate that zone for safety in preparation to make the repairs.

  • Chuck Jacobs November 26, 2016 (7:13 pm)

    I was just heading north on West Marginal Way. The street lights are out from the accident south to the Lafarge cement plant. There were police there and lots of flares, but all northbound traffic was turning around. 

  • Bill November 26, 2016 (7:14 pm)

    Called power co. Told us expect power back around 9pm, maybe sooner.

  • Radioguru November 26, 2016 (7:23 pm)

    Traffic light at Delridge and Brandon dark, cars driving right through. Friendly reminder, dark traffic lights must be treated as a 4 way stop!

  • old timer November 26, 2016 (7:29 pm)

    What a miserable night to be working outside.

    Thank you City Light folks.

  • Amy Thomson November 26, 2016 (8:43 pm)

    I talked to the police officer at the scene, and he said hours and hours.  Given that they will have to replace the pole, I’m figuring that they’ll be at it all night.  Some folks may get power sooner, if there’s a way to re-route around the break, but I’ll be happy to have power tomorrow morning.  My neighbor, who used to work for City Light agreed with me on that estimate.

    • Bruce November 26, 2016 (8:55 pm)

      Yep, given the down pole I’d say this is totally realistic

  • Steve November 26, 2016 (9:11 pm)

    Rough… I was struggling with the ideal to go to the gym and workout. As soon as I decided I would stay home and lied to myself about burning those extra calories tomorrow, the power went out. So I had to go to the gym anyways. #Firstworldstruggles

  • Westmarg November 27, 2016 (12:03 am)

    Our power is restored on 17th!

  • Mike B. November 27, 2016 (12:17 am)

    Wow, that last post said restoration about 4pm, that can’t be right…..right? 

    • WSB November 27, 2016 (12:54 am)

      My apologies! That was 4 **am**. Meantime, a few dozen more are back on, per the outage map … now it’s down to 215.

      • Mike B. November 27, 2016 (1:09 am)

        Thanks!

  • Mike B. November 27, 2016 (1:48 am)

    Back on!! Really appreciate your updates WSB! 

    • WSB November 27, 2016 (1:51 am)

      Thank you for the confirmation – I just looked at the map again and noticed the outage seemed all but over since I last looked not that long ago. – TR

  • Duwamish Longhouse November 27, 2016 (6:43 am)

    Thanks for keeping the community updated!  Best Wishes from the Duwamish Longhouse.

  • Driver November 27, 2016 (6:37 pm)

    The lights on the bridge westbound are out from the signs that says Admiral exit on up past Walking on Logs. Is it related?

    • WSB November 27, 2016 (6:47 pm)

      We just drove that stretch. They’re not out all the way to Walking on Logs, but there are several out near the Admiral exit.

  • Driver November 27, 2016 (6:54 pm)

    I just drove that route too. About 5:30 they seemed to be out from the base of the hill and up to the Walking on Logs area. Also the 2 exit signs at the base of the hill are out.

  • Driver November 27, 2016 (7:00 pm)

    I guess it’s not related based on power is comments from people in the area yesterday.

Sorry, comment time is over.