The days of rainy, cold, and windy weather have officially arrived here in Seattle and with them comes the increased risk of power outages in our area. Seattle City Light has some tips and resources to help you prepare for the inclement weather ahead so that you stay comfortable, informed, and most importantly, safe.
Have your storm prep kit ready
Make a pack that will last for several days with essential items like medications, non-perishable food items, water, flashlights, spare batteries, portable charging units, warm clothing for each member of your family, and a first aid kit. Keep phones and other electronic devices charged and at the ready. Don’t forget to have supplies set aside for your pet as well. For tips on what you need, visit seattle.gov/emergency-management/prepare.
Stay informed
- Be aware of current weather conditions. When inclement weather is expected, limit travel to necessary trips only to help prevent additional accidents and keep the roads clear for emergency personnel.
- Check the City Light outage map for current information on any outages in your neighborhood and the surrounding areas.
- Sign up for emergency text messaging such as AlertSeattle: alert.seattle.gov and Alert King County: kingcounty.gov/ALERTKingCounty.
Assess your trees
With most of the leaves fallen, now is a great time to examine the structure of your trees. Look up and along branches to identify breaks or cracks that could become problematic during a windstorm. If your trees could cause safety problems with power lines, call (206) 386-1733 or report your issue here.
Never use gas or charcoal grills indoors
In a power outage, never use gas grills, charcoal grills, or BBQs inside the home or in a garage. The exhaust fumes can be deadly in enclosed spaces. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to avoid illness or even death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Keep generators away from your home
While generators can be effective during a power outage, they need to be used with care. Always use portable generators outside in well-ventilated areas.
Stay away from downed power lines
Stay at least 30 feet away from a downed power line and call 911 to report them immediately.
How we address outages
Seattle City Light is committed to restoring power to our customers as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety and security of our crew members. When an outage is reported, we begin by first investigating the location and potential cause of the outage. This can be done both remotely from our operations center and from the field depending on the nature of the outage. Once we’ve determined the source of the problem, an assessment is made regarding the type of repairs, equipment needed, and crew members required.
Working with power lines is dangerous even in the best of weather conditions so the safety of our crew members is always a priority. During extreme weather events, we work strategically and methodically to restore power to as many customers as we can, while also assisting first responders and other utility providers to address public safety issues. Please give our crew members ample room to work free from distractions. This is for your safety and theirs. As always, your patience is appreciated.
For more information about how to prepare before, during, and after a power outage, visit seattle.gov/city-light/outage-safety