Power Outage Links & Info

During a storm, sometimes power outages happen. Make sure you report your outage to the power company so they can address the situation. You can find links to outage maps and phone numbers for local power companies below.

DO NOT APPROACH FALLEN POWER LINES!

They could carry enough electricity to prove fatal. Stay at least 30 feet away if you see a fallen power line. If the situation is life-threatening (such as on top of an occupied car), please call "911."

During major storms, a number of factors are considered in order to determine which repairs crews make first. Here is a quick list, courtesy of Snohomish County PUD.

-First, the utility focuses on outages at the higher-voltage transmission level, which affect substations that serve large numbers of customers, hospitals, schools and businesses.
Oil spills from transformers, wires blocking main highways and wires down on buildings or vehicles get high priority based on the safety hazards they present.
Next to be restored are substation main line circuits that serve neighborhoods and/or businesses.
Smaller outages are then addressed. These may be caused by transformer malfunctions or fallen service lines and may serve one or just a few homes.
Finally outages impacting non-essential street lights are resolved.

Power outages can be caused by a number of things, such as trees falling onto power lines or by car accidents involving power poles. If the power goes out, please remember these important tips:

Stay at least 30 feet away from any fallen power lines, including lines that are sagging or broken. Also, don’t cut up fallen trees that are entangled with power lines. The safe thing to do is assume all power lines are alive and can be a killer if touched.
Call the PUD if you have specific information about the location of a downed tree or if you see a power line on the ground. Outages can be reported by calling (425) 783-1001. If it’s a life-threatening situation or medical emergency, call 911.
Try to remember what was turned on at the time the power went out and turn the switches to those items to the “off ” position. It’s especially important to turn off anything that has a heating element, such as the electric range, an iron, or a toaster oven. Turning items off will prevent a fire when the power is restored.
Unplug sensitive electronics to prevent damage from potential electrical surges. It’s not necessary to turn off hot water heaters.
Don’t try to power your house by plugging a portable generator into a wall outlet. The generator will back feed electricity through the meter and out into the neighborhood, which will cause a severe safety hazard to neighbors and line workers. If using a portable generator, make sure the appliances being powered are plugged directly to the generator or make sure your home is disconnected from the PUD’s electric system with a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.
Make sure you have fresh batteries for flashlights. Always exercise extreme caution if you use candles or oil lamps. Never leave them unattended and keep them away from furniture, drapes, and other flammable materials.
Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible. The contents should be good for at least 24 hours if the door is kept closed. After that, use dry ice for the continued protection of your food.
Stay warm. Choose a small room with few windows as your emergency living quarters. Keep the windows, drapes, and doors closed. Also, dress warmly. Wear several layers of clothes and don’t forget to wear a hat.
Conserve water, especially in areas where well pumps and pumping stations may be without power.
If you use a portable heater that burns liquid fuel, make sure you have a window open for ventilation.
Stay informed. PUD staff share storm updates with KIRO-FM (97.3), KOMO-AM/FM (1000/97.7), KSER-FM (90.7), and KRKO-AM (1380).