UPDATE: Power outage for almost 5,000 customers in West Seattle; bird found in downed wires

2:42 AM: Thanks for the tips. Still awaiting the full extent of an outage that appears to be centered in the Fauntleroy area. We don’t know the cause yet, but police were just dispatched to check out an Upper Fauntleroy resident’s report of flashes at about that time. Another dispatch says it’s a possible problem around 45th/Wildwood. Updates to come.

2:47 AM: Almost 5,000 customers per update on City Light‘s map. A member of our Upper Fauntleroy household with a west-facing window also reports seeing the flashes (we didn’t lose power, though). Added a screengrab from the outage map – broadly described, this is mostly west of 35th SW, from Seaview south to Brace Point.

3:05 AM: Now our standard reminder that City Light’s “estimated time of restoration” is always just a guesstimate and often changes, so don’t take much stock in it. No further info so far. The map suggests some signalized intersections, like California/Morgan, are affected; if you have to go out, remember that if a signal’s out, that means the intersection is a four-way stop.

3:32 AM: One hour now since the outage started. SCL has tweeted an important reminder, especially considering many refrigerators are full of holiday food: Don’t open your fridge/freezer.

4:32 AM: Two hours now. Nothing new to report.

5:59 AM: Some commenters report restoration moments ago. … The map says 3,100+ are still out.

6:59 AM: All but 364 customers now have power back.

City Light spokesperson Jenn Strang tells WSB, “Most customers except for a small pocket around the immediate vicinity will be restored momentarily. A larger crew will be coming to make further repairs this morning. As of right now, we only know that this is a result of a wire coming down but we don’t have the exact cause. We hope to know more later.”

10:24 AM: After almost eight hours, those last 300+ customers are still out. A reader texted this photo of where the SCL crew is working:

That’s near Wildwood Market.

11:47 AM: The crews are still on scene, Meantime, the outage map has updated to attribute this to “bird/animal contact,” and a commenter says it appears to have been a Great Blue Heron.

12 PM: SCL’s Strang says crews did find that bird in the outage area. Meantime, for anyone still out, she says it shouldn’t be too much longer.

12:10 PM: And SCL says everybody’s back on.

89 Replies to "UPDATE: Power outage for almost 5,000 customers in West Seattle; bird found in downed wires"

  • C November 23, 2022 (2:48 am)

    45th and Wildwood here. Loud noise and flash woke me up and then all went dark. 

  • Allison November 23, 2022 (2:48 am)

    Power is also out in Seaview neighborhood near 41st and Findlay.

  • WestSeattleDude November 23, 2022 (2:48 am)

    Sounded like a transformer blew. Woke me up about 10 min ago? 44th/Wildwood.

  • Local November 23, 2022 (2:51 am)

    We heard two loud booms and then flashes that came from a pole near the corner of 45th and Concord.

  • G.S. Otte November 23, 2022 (2:51 am)

    My power out at 38th and Juneau

  • J November 23, 2022 (2:51 am)

    I heard strange grinding sound then power went out. About 20min ago. I’m near Brandon 44th SW. 

  • West Seattlite November 23, 2022 (2:51 am)

    I’m in northern arbor heights, I also saw flashing and heard electrical arching.

  • Claire Swazey November 23, 2022 (2:57 am)

    Out at my place- 97th off 35th. 

  • Duuuuude November 23, 2022 (2:57 am)

    I think it was a transformer right outside our apartment. Could see the flash from our telephone pole through our black out shades. Complete loss of power. (45th and wildwood)

    • Gatewood neighbor November 23, 2022 (3:46 am)

      Thanks for update. Gatewood area .I hope they get the power on ASAP have turkey in the fridge. 

  • kdake November 23, 2022 (2:58 am)

    Also was woken up by surging and then saw a flash towards the Wildwood area from down near Fauntleroy. City Light was moving power lines on Fauntleroy earlier this evening to new poles, but were supposed to be finished around 11:30. Not sure if there’s any relation or not though. 

    • WSB November 23, 2022 (3:10 am)

      Interesting. Thanks for that tidbit.

  • C November 23, 2022 (3:01 am)

    I’ve lived in almost every neighborhood in this city in the last 20 years and it seems that West Seattle has had more power outages combined than any other area I’ve been in. Genuinely curious as to why that might be?

    • MrBell November 23, 2022 (3:51 am)

      I asked that very question to a SCL technician. He told me the electrical infrastructure in West Seattle is very old and poorly maintained. 

  • BA November 23, 2022 (3:03 am)

    Brandon/Fauntleroy – power out also.

  • Matt November 23, 2022 (3:05 am)

    Power out at Dawson and California 

  • Maddog November 23, 2022 (3:05 am)

    I live at 44th and Director. I was brushing my teeth looking out the window when out of nowhere the transformer in the alley behind my house lit up like a Christmas tree. 

    • L November 23, 2022 (3:30 am)

      I’m at 45th and Director. I was half asleep but saw a couple bright flashes through blackout curtains back towards the alley. I heard two loud noises too. 

  • Sydney November 23, 2022 (3:06 am)

    I’m on 47th. Working in my office and, the lights flickered and went out once then, came back on, repeated the flickering and hasn’t come back on. A couple of houses have lights on but, everything else around me is dark. 

  • Chelle November 23, 2022 (3:10 am)

    Just went out 45th and Dawson. 

  • tntmoriv November 23, 2022 (4:30 am)

    Power still out near 37th SW and Brandon at 4:30am

  • Jk November 23, 2022 (4:30 am)

    102nd SW, Arbor Heights power still out. Remember: don’t open fridge 

  • Lyanda November 23, 2022 (4:40 am)

    I have power in Gatewood, but could someone who know about such things tell if this is why my Comcast is down? Thanks!

    • EJ November 23, 2022 (9:24 am)

      I’m without internet now as well. It came on for a while with the power, then I lost it around 6am I think. I did the online troubleshooting which says “everything looks good,” and there’s nothing on the outage map. So I’m pretty peeved having to rely on my hotspot for work while trying to figure out why I still don’t have internet.

  • Mechrorobotocon November 23, 2022 (4:48 am)

    Woke up around 2:50 as my CPAP wasn’t working due to the outage. Didn’t see or hear anything, but entire neighborhood dark then and now at 97th and 35th.

  • Morgan Junction Starbucks November 23, 2022 (4:53 am)

    Good morning Morgan Junction Starbucks is planning to open at 9am today. Let’s hope the power is back up and running at that time! 

  • Bill McKay November 23, 2022 (4:55 am)

    Still dark on 5900 Beach Drive. 

  • Marcia Ford November 23, 2022 (5:38 am)

    Power still out in Morgan Junction,  except for the Rapid Ride northbound station. About 85% following 4-way stop rule. Please be careful!

  • Kristina November 23, 2022 (5:42 am)

    45th and Brandon and no power here. While I considered firing up the outdoor BBQ to make my morning coffee, I think there is a coffee shop with my name on it this morning!My fridge is stuffed with Thanksgiving food so I won’t open it this morning to make lunch – I would rather buy lunch than make an entire fridge’s worth of food have questionable safety. Thanks for the reminder!The house is slightly cooler without the furnace running and it’s going to be a very short shower today.Thank you, WS Blog, for keeping us informed and giving us a space to commiserate with one another!

    • Kristina November 23, 2022 (6:39 am)

      Power restored a bit ago… And I am deeply enjoying coffee at home.

  • Christina November 23, 2022 (5:52 am)

    Still out as of 5:50AM.

  • MLS November 23, 2022 (5:55 am)

    power just back at 5:54. on Beach Drive

  • Shannon B November 23, 2022 (5:56 am)

    Back on in California / Juneau area!

  • Mike November 23, 2022 (5:58 am)

    Power came back for me, 6300 California Ave…

  • RayWest November 23, 2022 (5:59 am)

    6:00 a.m. Power just came back on in the Juneau/California Ave. area. 

  • Matt B November 23, 2022 (6:01 am)

    But but but…dear God, I need coffee! I could heat water with a camp stove, but the beans are not ground yet! 

    • RayWest November 23, 2022 (6:23 am)

      Matt B. Hang on dude. You’ll be saved–eventually. Fortunately, I was up early and already had made coffee.

    • Kristina November 23, 2022 (6:41 am)

      I am so with you on this one. Fueled by coffee! It won’t help you today but for the future: I keep some Starbucks via or some Trader Joe’s instant coffee in my cupboard just for moments like this. They are surprisingly good. Of course normally I have fresh ground beans but knowing I have backup in the cupboard keeps the panic at bay. Lol

    • Chris November 23, 2022 (7:11 am)

      ALWAYS have a few beans ground up. Good emergency management procedure. Or maybe a hammer works…

  • GB November 23, 2022 (6:02 am)

    Power came back on! at Fauntleroy and California about 5:55am. 

  • WS Girl November 23, 2022 (6:03 am)

    Lights just came on around 6:00 a.m. at California Ave, north of Morgan Junction.

  • Jeff November 23, 2022 (6:06 am)

    Still out here Roxbury & California in Arbor Heights.

  • Breanna November 23, 2022 (6:10 am)

    Power still out at 46th and Rose just off Fauntleroy 

  • Let there be light November 23, 2022 (6:13 am)

    City Light said 3 hours til power goes back according to my Ring app

  • Matt November 23, 2022 (6:20 am)

    Still out in 6400 block at 42 nd and Holly

  • Elisabeth November 23, 2022 (6:24 am)

    Power back on at 49th and Findlay. 

  • Lynda November 23, 2022 (6:27 am)

    Power back on at Morgan Junction, south of Fauntleroy.

  • Liz November 23, 2022 (6:27 am)

    Power just turned back on here! One block south of Gatewood Elementary. 

  • Lg November 23, 2022 (6:28 am)

    Just now back by Lowman Beach. 

  • BracePointerSister November 23, 2022 (6:29 am)

    Just came back on at Brace Point Dr & 45th

  • Josh B. November 23, 2022 (6:31 am)

    We’re at Kenyon Pl. and Fauntleroy across from Lincoln Park and ours just came back on at 6:27am… fingers crossed for everyone else!

    • sydbey November 23, 2022 (8:18 am)

      Thank you :) Hoping it’s just a matter of time for us over on concord now….

  • Rachel November 23, 2022 (6:38 am)

    Power back on for the brace point group, we get a little panicked here when the power goes out given the history of our area. A quick turn around comparative to our past outages. It has been a bit so I keep thinking we are due for another big one. 

  • Grateful November 23, 2022 (6:42 am)

    Power back on 98th & California!

  • Jean November 23, 2022 (6:43 am)

    Power is back on around 35th and Barton SW

  • Fawna November 23, 2022 (6:45 am)

    Power is back at 36th and Barton SW

  • Wendy November 23, 2022 (6:53 am)

    Power back on here as of 6:27! 105th & 39th

  • Andrea Abraham November 23, 2022 (7:01 am)

    Power came back on around 6:30 in arbor heights. Phew! Just in time for wake up with littles!! Did not want to sit in the cold and dark this am. 

  • Rolando S November 23, 2022 (7:04 am)

    Power is still out in Fauntlee hills. Feels like Santa is giving me my lump of coal early this year. Haaa!

    • sydbey November 23, 2022 (8:17 am)

      Right? Maybe it’s payback for all the times we were spared in other outages ;)

  • CTS November 23, 2022 (7:07 am)

    Still no Pierre here at 45th and Trenton

    • Mark mcclure November 23, 2022 (7:18 am)

      No worries, we’ll find him lol.. sorry could help it

  • Mark mcclure November 23, 2022 (7:16 am)

    Any power on off of concord street?

  • Richard November 23, 2022 (8:05 am)

    Power still out for me over at 45th Ave SW and Director. I think I’m in the last 300 group 😢 

    • sydney November 23, 2022 (8:26 am)

      Same :-/

      • Jeannie November 23, 2022 (9:19 am)

        Power is still out for us in Fauntlee Hills. 

  • sydbey November 23, 2022 (8:16 am)

    Power still out here on upper Concord :(Gonna have to go drive around the neighborhood to charge my phone soon because I didn’t plug it in last night :(Good thing my mom’s hosting on Thursday on C Hill and the food is all over there ;)

  • K November 23, 2022 (9:17 am)

    WSB, you are the best, thank you.  I genuinely wonder…when do you sleep???  You are on top of everything 24/7, I’m not sure you’re human? 

  • MrBell November 23, 2022 (10:06 am)

    Crew working on Fauntleroy Pl SW near Wildwood market. 

  • Steph November 23, 2022 (10:07 am)

    Some amusing banter here but look how many power outages we have had just this Fall.  I believe we are going to have many more. Just hope it doesn’t get as bad as a decade ago when my 90+ year old Mom and her housemate were huddled in the dark around the basement fireplace with the insert for almost two weeks and only those with 4 wheel drive and chains could get there to bring more wood. Please be prepared yourselves with down, wool, even emergency blankets.  Candles, flashlights, a tent and alternative heat.I’m checking You Tube prepper sites in earnest now and stocking up on Crisco because I don’t like propane. But please look out for your elderly neighbors! They are much more frail and cannot withstand the lack of heat.  Make sure their relatives have prepared them and be prepared to be a good Samaritan and take them in yourselves. 

  • Julia November 23, 2022 (10:10 am)

    45th & Trenton: Still waiting and very cold.

  • Sydney November 23, 2022 (10:45 am)

    To everyone involved with finding and fixing the outage, thank you! My situation may not have been quite as dire as the person whose cpap went out but, heating is so important when keeping exotics. Thank you again!

  • VN November 23, 2022 (10:53 am)

    It appears that a heron may have flown into the power lines on 45th.  City light crews are working hard down the street to get all power restored.  

    • WSB November 23, 2022 (11:46 am)

      Thank you. The outage map, in its limited classifications, now attributes this to “bird/animal contact,” so that might have been it – I have followups out to City Light.. – TR

    • Zinc November 23, 2022 (11:46 am)

      Ok, people don’t need to see photo of dead bird and birds were around before humans put up power lines 

      • Raye November 23, 2022 (4:48 pm)

        Thank you, Zinc. I agree. I’m sure we can agree that power outages are anywhere from a minor inconvenience to a major concern, but I do feel bad for the bird. It’s their turf!

  • Ken November 23, 2022 (11:00 am)

    Still out 45th and Director what is the reimbursement policy for all my ruined food?!? 

    • sydney November 23, 2022 (11:35 am)

      :(

    • Tim November 23, 2022 (11:56 am)

      my power just came back and i opened the fridge. it’s still below 40. you’re probably alright.

  • Curious November 23, 2022 (11:02 am)

    I wonder if this is related to the down lines I saw yesterday at the house under construction near 44th and Wildwood?  Construction workers were on site.

  • Graciano November 23, 2022 (11:44 am)

    It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving or close to it if we didn’t have a power outage!

  • Scott Anderson November 23, 2022 (12:03 pm)

    Just heard from a friend in the last affected area that power has been restored

    • WSB November 23, 2022 (12:11 pm)

      Map verifies that. Thank you. If anybody’s still out, be sure to let SCL know!

  • anonyme November 23, 2022 (12:52 pm)

    I wasn’t aware that herons were nocturnal.  This seems bizarre.

    • Kersti Elisabeth Muul November 23, 2022 (10:59 pm)

      They are definitely active at night.They often come out of trees at night and take off. I imagine that’s what this one did. It was a quick death, I’ll tell you that much 

      • anonyme November 24, 2022 (6:10 am)

        Thanks for the info.  I feel terrible that our wildlife faces so many man-man made death traps, and now HPAI as well.

  • Ly November 23, 2022 (8:25 pm)

    Poor heron ☹️

    • BlairJ November 23, 2022 (9:17 pm)

      RIP GBH.  Sorry we made the environment so treacherous for other species.

  • Math Teacher November 24, 2022 (10:32 am)

    The location and timing of this event, so close to so many HPAI deaths, leads me to wonder whether this heron may have been infected with HPAI, and an early symptom was confusion or loss of coordination while flying.  

Sorry, comment time is over.