UPDATE: 10 1/2-hour power outage after tree topples into wires, onto Jacobsen Road

5:01 AM: Thanks for the tips. 144 homes are without power on Beach Drive. A downed tree in the 5200 block of Jacobsen Road [map] gets the blame, according to email; the 911 log shows a “wires down” call there just before 3:30 am.

6:15 AM: Jacobsen is still blocked both ways by the tree. The closure sign isn’t until part of the way down the hill, however, so while we were there, drivers were starting down the hill – then having to turn around once they came to the sign. (Added) Here’s a closer look at where the tree is tangled with the wires:

We’ll check back in a few hours.

11:15 AM: Update in comments from Tom – the road had cleared for a while but is now closed again for City Light work.

1:58 PM: As noted in comments and confirmed by the SCL map, the power is back on. (Added – We have confirmed that the road is open again, too.)

21 Replies to "UPDATE: 10 1/2-hour power outage after tree topples into wires, onto Jacobsen Road"

  • Matt July 21, 2021 (6:29 am)

    Thanks for the info.  I heard a double boom at that same time during the night, but it looks like I’m just outside the outage zone and never lost power.  Hope these neighbors have their power back already and that the tree can be cleared quickly.

  • Eddie July 21, 2021 (7:11 am)

    There was a light plane circling overhead near that time this morn.

  • Lindsey July 21, 2021 (7:30 am)

    Any idea when the power is going to come back on?!!

  • Wsres July 21, 2021 (7:42 am)

    It is just so dry, more trees on slopes will topple this summer.

  • Fluffy July 21, 2021 (7:46 am)

    Still no power. Bummer dude. At least it’s close enough to walk down and look-e-loo. Will do. I also heard the loud snap in the middle of the night, then lost power. 

  • james July 21, 2021 (8:36 am)

    This probably wouldn’t happen if it didn’t take three years to get a permit to cut a rotten tree limb.

  • TOM GOODWIN July 21, 2021 (8:36 am)

    I’m at ground zero of the tree falling. The chainsaw boys from SDOT have arrived.  No sign of City Light however.  Tom

  • Lola July 21, 2021 (8:37 am)

    Was the tree on Private property or City Property?  

  • AlkiFlyer July 21, 2021 (8:37 am)

    They don’t put the ‘Road Closed’ sign at the top of the hill?  SMH

  • D July 21, 2021 (8:39 am)

    Hope it’s not one of those trees that the city painted a big ‘R’ on several years ago. I’m pretty sure those trees were supposed to be removed. 

  • JohnW July 21, 2021 (9:49 am)

    Once again we are lucky that no one was killed or injured by the lack of proper tree care in Seattle.  ——-Either on Seattle City Properties or private properties, responsible tree maintenance is not being done. —— The City has a growing multi-million dollar backlog on tree maintenance while the private property owners are banned or required to follow through multiple costly lengthy processes to remove a dangerous tree.

  • Brian July 21, 2021 (10:11 am)

    Is that slope owned by property owners or is it managed by SDOT? 

  • TOM GOODWIN July 21, 2021 (10:17 am)

    This is on joint city-county property, technically part of Mee Kwa Mooks Park I think although it’s not contiguous.  There’s another rotting tree right behind where this one fell but they aren’t taking it out today.  As of now (10:15) is looks to be all clear on Jacobsen although I’m not seeing any traffic yet.

  • Bradley July 21, 2021 (10:29 am)

    Thanks for the updates……glad no one was hurt….

  • TOM GOODWIN July 21, 2021 (10:55 am)

    Update 10:54 – City Light is here to fix the power, so Jacobsen is blocked off again until they finish.

    • WSB July 21, 2021 (11:14 am)

      Thank you for the update. We were about to go back over, will scratch that for now.

      • James July 21, 2021 (1:15 pm)

        Still no power down here, walked up and saw the crew working but not back on yet. Going on 10 hours which seems like a long time for a branch over power lines. It was not the whole tree, just a large limb that broke off near the bottom. Certainly lucky it was not during the day with all the foot traffic and cars. Did hit with enough force to break the homeowners water line.

  • MC July 21, 2021 (1:48 pm)

    Power came back on a few minutes ago. 

    • WSB July 21, 2021 (1:51 pm)

      Thank you for the update!

  • Neighbor July 21, 2021 (2:46 pm)

    Is the road clear or still blocked to cars? 

    • WSB July 21, 2021 (4:26 pm)

      We just went over to check. Yes, it’s open.

Sorry, comment time is over.