Assistance programs

November Wind Storm

Progress continues

Throughout the day crews made steady progress restoring power to customers impacted by Tuesday’s windstorm. 18 transmission lines, 42 distribution circuits and 15 substations were put back on-line today. These important pieces of infrastructure bring back on sometimes thousands of customers at once.    Today we’ve seen the most progress with restoration of power to our schools, critical infrastructure and medical facilities. However, we understand that for those still affected it remains incredibly challenging, especially with the cold conditions. For customers needing support, please check with your local government or call 211 to find warming shelters and other resources. King 5 also has this list of resources.

A message to our customers was sent through several channels this afternoon. Please see the letter here.

The high winds and resulting tree damage not only downed the smaller, local power lines, but also damaged transmission lines – the larger lines that bring power into communities. Crews are steadily bringing transmission lines back online; this is an important step before crews can focus on the local distribution system. Please note that there will be temporary spikes in outage numbers as those systems are energized so you may see numbers go up and down on the PSE outage map as the process occurs. In some cases, customers may receive a notification that their power is restored when substations are energized – if you are still without power, please report your outage through the myPSE app or our outage map.

Work will continue around the clock until every customer has power restored. We have the equipment and materials that are needed for the type of outages that can be caused by high winds. As crews finish work in one area, they are assigned to repair damage in another.

Needing help with your energy bills?

Many people face challenges keeping up with energy costs. If you’re struggling with your energy bill, our bill assistance programs and free home weatherization services can make a real difference. Check our income guidelines to see if you qualify.