If your power goes out in Seattle or elsewhere in Western Washington, stay indoors, keep the refrigerator closed, unplug sensitive electronics and check your utility’s outage map. If you see a downed line, stay far back, treat it as live and call 911 or your utility. Crews restore power in a set order, starting with safety hazards and the biggest equipment, then working down to individual neighborhoods and homes.
The advice comes after the first major storm of the season hit Washington. A powerful windstorm knocked out power to more than 115,000 customers across Western Washington on Saturday night, Nov. 7, including about 46,000 Seattle City Light customers at the peak. Figures varied by outlet and time of night, and they change as crews reconnect customers, so check your utility’s live map for current numbers.
What happened in Washington
Gusts reached 69 mph on the coast and about 50 mph around Puget Sound, toppling trees onto roads and power lines from Lewis County to Whatcom County. Forecasters and utilities had warned that foliage would make things worse: with plenty of trees still somewhat leafy, the trees and branches were no match for the gusty winds.
In Seattle, the first wave of outages occurred within 20 minutes around 9:05 p.m. A later update put the figure at about 33,000 customers across 143 outages, and the largest single outage hit 4,884 customers in Burien. Other utilities were affected too. Puget Sound Energy was handling outages at more than 220 sites that affected upward of 27,000 customers, and the Clallam County and Grays Harbor County public utility districts reported roughly 10,000 additional outages between them.
Those bright flashes some residents saw were not lightning. When a tree or branch hits a power line, the equipment can short out with a bright blue or white flash. As of Nov. 8, 2026, forecasters expect showers to linger into the coming week, with another system due Monday, so more outages are possible.
What to do during a power outage
Start with the basics, drawn from Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and federal guidance:
- Report it. Seattle City Light customers can call 206-684-3000. You can report a PSE outage without an account on PSE’s Report An Outage page. The utilities’ outage maps show repair progress.
- Protect electronics. City Light advises you disconnect computers, sensitive appliances, and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges. Leave one light switched on so you know when power returns, then wait 15 minutes, then gradually reconnect and power up appliances and electronics.
- Keep the fridge shut. If the doors stay closed, food will stay safe up to 4 hours in a refrigerator, 48 hours in a full freezer, 24 hours in a half-full freezer.
- Never heat with a grill. City Light’s storm message said never use grills to heat your home, and stay indoors.
- Treat dark traffic signals as stop signs. City Light reminded drivers that traffic lights without power should now be stop signs.
Generators and carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is the biggest hidden danger after storms. Ready.gov says to use a generator, but only outdoors and away from windows, and to install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home. Never run a generator in a garage, basement or other enclosed space. Keep it dry as well, because touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock.
How to report downed power lines safely
Assume every wire on the ground is energized, even if it looks dead or is not sparking. PSE says if you come across a downed utility wire of any kind, always assume it’s energized. A tree or car touching the line can also carry current.
- Stay back. Distances differ by utility. City Light urges anyone who sees a downed line to keep at least 30 feet back and dial 911. PSE says never touch or go within 35 feet of downed power lines because they might be energized. When in doubt, stay farther away.
- Call 911. Seattle City Light’s guidance during the storm was to stay away from downed power lines and report them to 911.
- Call your utility. PSE customers can call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report problems.
- Keep others away. Warn neighbors and drivers from a safe distance, and do not try to move a line or a fallen tree that is touching one.
How utilities restore power after a windstorm
Restoration follows a logical order, which is why your neighbor’s lights may come on before yours. Seattle City Light says Life Safety Crews are dispatched immediately to fix downed powerlines that pose any immediate safety threats to the vicinity. After that, crews begin repairing any damage at the largest source of power, the high-voltage transmission lines that carry power to substations.
PSE describes the same sequence. Priority also goes to essential services such as hospitals, water and wastewater systems, energy and transportation. Then crews focus on repairing damage to distribution and service lines, the lines that directly serve homes and businesses. Because the grid works in sections, crews re-route power around the damaged areas, isolating the section that requires repairs. In practice, the order runs from:
- Life-safety hazards, such as live wires in roadways
- Transmission lines and substations that serve the most people
- Feeder lines into neighborhoods and business districts
- Smaller local lines and, last, individual service connections
That last step explains a common frustration. City Light notes that if a neighbor has power and you don’t, there may be damage to lateral lines that feed power to your home and not your neighbors. Early estimates can also shift, since depending on the severity of an outage, it may take crews many hours to provide accurate power-restoration estimates. If a PSE status says complete but your power is still off, report your outage again to let them know.
Key details
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Storm date | Saturday night, Nov. 7, 2026 |
| Regional peak outages | More than 115,000 customers (per PowerOutage.com, as reported by News Beep) |
| Seattle City Light peak | About 46,000 customers |
| Seattle City Light outage line | 206-684-3000 |
| PSE outage line | 1-888-225-5773 |
| Downed lines | Call 911; stay 30 feet (City Light) to 35 feet (PSE) away or more |
| Fridge / full freezer | About 4 hours / about 48 hours if doors stay closed |
| Status | As of Nov. 8, 2026, crews were still restoring service; check live outage maps |
FAQ
Should I call 911 or the utility for an outage?
Use the utility’s phone line, app or outage map for ordinary outages. Reserve 911 for downed lines, fires, or anyone in danger.
How long is food safe without power?
The CDC says throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers) after 4 hours without power or without a cold source like ice. Do not taste food to test it.
Why does my neighbor have power when I don’t?
You may be on a different circuit, or the damage may be on the local line or connection serving only your home. Check your breaker panel, then report the outage.
Is a downed line safe if it isn’t sparking?
No. A silent wire can still be live. Stay back and call 911.
For live updates, see Seattle City Light’s outage safety page and Puget Sound Energy’s outage center.
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