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Seattle power outages continued Sunday morning after a powerful windstorm brought heavy rain and strong gusts across Western Washington. At least 30,000 households in the Puget Sound region remained without electricity, according to utility reports cited by The Seattle Times.

The outages followed a turbulent Saturday night when more than 80,000 customers across Western Washington lost power. Although electricity had been restored to many homes and businesses by Sunday, tens of thousands of customers were still waiting for service to return.

Seattle power outages remain widespread Sunday

Seattle City Light reported more than 14,580 customers without power in Seattle on Sunday morning. The figure made the city one of the hardest-hit areas as utility providers continued tracking damage and working through restoration needs.

Puget Sound Energy reported approximately 13,500 outages in its service area. Snohomish Public Utilities District reported that about 950 customers remained without electricity.

The numbers were changing as utilities restored service and assessed additional interruptions. Outage totals can shift quickly during a storm, especially when crews are responding to downed lines, damaged equipment and difficult travel conditions.

Powerful winds battered Western Washington

The storm brought a mix of rain and strong winds to communities throughout the region. According to the National Weather Service’s Seattle office, wind gusts reached 69 mph in Hoquiam.

Gusts of around 40 mph were also recorded in Bellingham, Quillayute and Friday Harbor. Those conditions were strong enough to disrupt electric service across a broad area, affecting urban neighborhoods, coastal communities and locations around Puget Sound.

Wind-driven outages can occur when branches contact power lines, trees fall onto distribution equipment or utility infrastructure is damaged. Heavy rain can add to the challenge by making roads and work areas more hazardous for repair crews.

What the outages mean for residents

For households without electricity, an extended outage can affect heating, lighting, cooking, refrigeration and internet access. Businesses may also face interruptions to payment systems, communications and daily operations.

Residents experiencing an outage should report it to their electricity provider if it has not already been recorded. Customers should also rely on official utility alerts for estimated restoration times, safety instructions and updates about changing conditions.

Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible.
Use flashlights instead of candles when available.
Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately.
Check on neighbors who may need additional assistance.
Charge phones and other essential devices when power is available.

People should never touch a fallen wire or assume that a line is safe because it appears inactive. Downed lines can remain dangerous even when nearby homes are dark or power service appears interrupted.

Restoration work continues after the storm

Utilities faced a significantly larger response Saturday night, when the regional outage total surpassed 80,000 customers. The lower number reported Sunday morning indicated that substantial restoration progress had been made, but the remaining outages continued to affect thousands of households.

Restoration often happens in stages. Crews may first address hazards involving major transmission lines or equipment that can restore power to large numbers of customers. Smaller neighborhood outages may take longer, depending on the location of the damage and the resources required.

Weather conditions can also influence the pace of repairs. Utility workers must inspect lines, identify damaged infrastructure and complete repairs safely before restoring electricity. Residents may therefore experience different restoration times even when they live in the same general area.

A critical reminder during severe weather

The storm offered another reminder of how quickly high winds can pressure the regional power grid. Western Washington communities regularly experience wet and windy weather, but the combination of saturated ground, falling trees and strong gusts can create widespread service disruptions.

As of Sunday morning, Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy and Snohomish Public Utilities District were still reporting active outages. Customers should continue monitoring their providers for the latest information rather than relying on earlier estimates.

While most customers affected Saturday night had regained electricity, the remaining Seattle power outages showed that the storm’s impact was not over for everyone. Residents should remain cautious around damaged trees, blocked roads and possible electrical hazards while restoration work continues across the Puget Sound region.

Frequently asked questions

How many customers remained without power Sunday?

At least 30,000 households in the Puget Sound region remained without electricity Sunday morning. The total included outages reported by Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy and Snohomish Public Utilities District.

How many Seattle customers were affected?

Seattle City Light reported more than 14,580 customers without power Sunday morning.

What caused the widespread outages?

Heavy rain and powerful winds caused disruptions across Western Washington. The National Weather Service reported a 69-mph gust in Hoquiam and gusts around 40 mph in several other communities.

What should residents do during an outage?

Residents should avoid downed lines, use flashlights, keep refrigerators closed and monitor official utility updates for restoration information.

How many outages were reported Saturday night?

More than 80,000 customers across Western Washington had lost power Saturday night before many services were restored.