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November Wind Storm

Damage assessment and restoration efforts continue

Crews and hundreds of support staff continue their around-the-clock work to restore power to those who remain out as a result of yesterday’s damaging windstorm.

As of 6 p.m., we have 354,733 customers out of power. Power has been restored to more than 170,000 customers since the start of the storm. However, due to extensive wind and equipment damage, power for some customers may be out for an extended period. We are updating our outage map with the best information available and will continue to provide updates as restoration progresses. Our focus for tonight continues to be on transmission lines to critical infrastructure and public safety.

Crews continue to survey damage on the ground and helicopter patrols will resume tomorrow morning. Our first step in restoring power is damage assessment: getting a look at what’s been done to the system and determining the extent of repairs that are needed. We will provide restoration updates as information becomes available.

Crews from other utilities from Washington State, British Columbia, Idaho and Oregon have all shown up to assist in the repair of our electric system. Support from these outside agencies ensures that PSE restores power to our communities as soon as possible.

 

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Safety first. Never touch or go within 35 feet of downed power lines because they might be energized. Call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report problems.

Report and track power outages online

Our history

PSE has a rich history of energy leadership, ground-breaking innovation and dedicated service to our customers and local communities.
Here’s an at-a-glance timeline, with notable energy milestones.

  • Gas lamp photo
    1873 New Year's Eve

    Seattle Gas Light Company, the earliest PSE predecessor established this same year, introduces the Washington Territory to manufactured gas lighting.

  • light bulb icon
    1879

    Thomas Edison invents the first long-lasting incandescent light bulb.

  • solar icon
    1883

    Charles Fritts builds the first genuine solar cell.

  • electric icon
    1884

    The electric alternator is invented, an electric generator producing alternating current (AC) better for sending electricity over long distances.

  • Historical central power plant
    1886

    Thanks to Seattle Electric Light Company, a PSE predecessor, the Puget Sound region receives electric service from a central power plant.

  • First large hydroelectric plant at Snoqualmie Falls
    1898

    PSE predecessor Puget Sound Power and Light builds the region's first large hydroelectric plant at Snoqualmie Falls.

  • Columbia River's first massive hydropower plant, the Rock Island Dam
    1932

    PSE predecessors build the Columbia River's first massive hydropower plant, the Rock Island Dam, now owned and operated by Chelan County Public Utility District.

  • Historical photo of Hollywood film
    Mid 1930s

    PSE predecessor Puget Sound Power and Light goes to Hollywood, filming energy's role in society in "Looking Forward" — a quaint and pure public relations effort of the day.

  • hydroelectric icon
    1937

    The Bonneville Dam begins delivering electric power from the Columbia River.

  • Natural Gas picture
    1956

    The Puget Sound region receives its first natural gas service from the Washington Natural Gas Company, a PSE predecessor.

  • solar icon
    1994

    The first solar dish generator is tied to a utility grid.

  • Puget Sound Power Light logo
    1997

    PSE adopts its name and current structure upon the merger of Puget Sound Power and Light Company and Washington Energy Company.

  • Two wind facilities complete (Wild Horse and Hopkins Ridge)
    2005

    With two wind facilities complete (Wild Horse and Hopkins Ridge), PSE is the single largest producer of renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest.

  • wind turbine icon
    2012

    PSE completes its third and largest wind project, the 343-megawatt Lower Snake River Wind Facility.

  • renewable icon
    2020

    Our mission today is deep decarbonization and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. We will be coal free by 2025, carbon neutral by 2030, and have 100% clean electricity by 2045. Our local distribution system will have net zero methane emissions by 2022.