Strong windstorm causes damage, power outages
Published 6:38 pm Sunday, March 13, 2016
Reporter staff
A powerful windstorm uprooted trees, caused damage and disrupted power in the South Sound Puget Sound area Sunday.
The third and strongest storm since the start of the month was in full force in the afternoon, resulting in power outages to approximately 177,481 Puget Sound Energy customers, including some in Auburn and Kent. The outages are system wide, PSE officials said, with the storm starting in the southern part of its service area and moving north.
Since Sunday afternoon, 16 of 23 damaged transmission lines have been repaired and 30 of 33 damaged substations have been repaired, PSE reported.
Wind gusts reached more than 45 mph in the South Sound area, according to the National Weather Service.
PSE crews are responding as long as conditions allow. High winds will slow and possibly stop response and restoration efforts, PSE said.
PSE warned:
• Soils are saturated from heavy rains trees and branches have been weakened by the recent storms. This could cause additional damage and power outages.
• Never touch downed power lines because they may be energized. Call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report problems.
• Get the latest information and updates: @PSETalk on Twitter or visit PSE on Facebook.
Report and track power outages
• Mobile: MyPSE app
• Online: PSE.com/reportoutage
• Phone: 1-888-225-5773
• Outage map at PSE.com/outagemap
