Washington State — Thousands of residents across Washington were left without electricity late Wednesday as heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds swept through the region, triggering widespread power outages and disrupting daily life in multiple counties.
According to PowerOutage.com, 7,175 customers across the state were without power as of 10:30 p.m. Utility crews continued working overnight to restore service as weather conditions slowly improved.
Power Outages Concentrated in Key Areas
The largest share of outages was reported among Puget Sound Energy customers, where 2,364 households were without electricity late Wednesday night. Chelan County followed closely, with 2,041 customers experiencing outages.
Officials said the situation was significantly worse earlier in the day. At the height of Wednesday’s storm, more than 13,000 people across Washington were without power. Nearly half of those outages occurred in Chelan County, particularly in and around the Leavenworth area, where intense wind gusts and heavy rainfall brought down trees and power lines.
Utility providers reported that saturated ground conditions and gusty winds made repairs more challenging, slowing access to some damaged infrastructure.
Weather Conditions Behind the Outages
The outages were caused by a powerful weather system that brought steady rainfall, localized flooding, and strong winds across much of western and central Washington. Emergency managers warned that fallen branches, debris, and downed lines could continue to pose hazards even as the storm weakens.
Authorities urged residents to avoid downed power lines and flooded roadways, emphasizing that conditions can change rapidly during storms of this magnitude.
What to Do If Your Power Is Out
Emergency agencies recommend preparing for outages before storms arrive and taking safety precautions if electricity is lost.
Residents are advised to keep portable chargers or power banks fully charged in advance. Having at least one ready-to-use backup power source can help maintain communication during an outage.
Households should keep flashlights available for every family member and ensure batteries are fresh. Candles are discouraged due to fire risk.
Stocking nonperishable food and drinking water is also recommended. While power is often restored within a day during storms like this, outages can sometimes last longer in hard-hit areas.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security advises keeping refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours, while a full freezer can maintain safe temperatures for up to 48 hours.
Generator Safety Remains Critical
Officials stressed that generators must only be used outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and attached garages. Carbon monoxide from generators can be deadly if used improperly.
Generators should be connected to appliances using heavy-duty extension cords, and users should always allow equipment to cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine components can ignite and cause serious injuries.
How to Report an Outage or Check Restoration Status
Residents experiencing outages are encouraged to report them directly to their utility provider and monitor official outage maps for updates:
Puget Sound Energy — Call 1-888-225-5773
Seattle City Light — Call 206-684-3000
Tanner Electric Cooperative — Call 425-888-0623
Snohomish County PUD — Call 425-783-1001
Tacoma Public Utilities — Call 253-502-8602
Peninsula Light Co. — Call 877-853-1388
Jefferson County PUD — Call 360-385-5800
Clallam County PUD — Call 800-542-7859
Chelan PUD — Call 877-783-8123
Ongoing Restoration Efforts
Utility companies say crews will continue working until all customers are restored, prioritizing critical facilities and areas with the largest number of outages. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and local emergency alerts.
If you were affected by the storm or are currently without power, share your experience and how you’re preparing in the comments below.
