WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Dozens of localized power outages and electrical emergencies have been reported across much of Whatcom County since about 2:30pm today, Friday, December 23rd. It’s reported the over 3,400 Puget Sound Customer addresses were impacted as of 5pm.
Freezing rain, with ice accumulations of more than a quarter inch in some areas, wind gusts, and additional snow moved through the Puget Sound region this week, causing outages around our service area. The weight of the ice and snow caused trees and branches to snap and fall into power lines and has damaged electrical equipment.
Our electric first responders and crews are out in force, assessing damage and making repairs as it is safe to do so. Access is very challenging, as some roads have become impassable due to ice, snow and downed trees. While temperatures have begun warming, our crews may continue to face unsafe conditions, slowing restoration efforts. We’re also monitoring the forecast for additional weather that may cause new outages. Puget Sound Energy (December 23, 2022)
First responders were dispatched to about a dozen electrical emergencies, such as power poles on fire or wires arching, between 3pm and 5pm according to the PulsePoint EMS dispatch log reporting system.
The over 3,400 impacted in Whatcom County are part of a total 13,850 PSE customers impacted across the Puget Sound region as of 5pm.