Nearly 8,000 people in Seattle lost power due to a brief power outage

SEATTLE – A power outage hit Seattle on Friday and had consequences almost 8,000 customers. The outage occurred primarily along Westlake Ave., just west of Lake Union.

According to Seattle City Light, the cause of the outage was still under investigation as of 10 a.m. About an hour after the outage began, power was restored to most customers.

In the event of unexpected power outages, residents can take several steps to stay safe and minimize disruption to their routines. Here are tips to consider:

Safety first:

• Avoid broken power lines and treat them, and anything that comes into contact with them, as live electricity. Report them to Seattle City Light immediately.

• Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid fire hazards.

Food Preservation:

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed; an unopened refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours, while a full freezer can maintain its temperature for about 48 hours.

• Place a block of ice in the refrigerator to enhance the cold if you expect the power to be out for an extended period of time.

Notice:

• Keep a battery-powered portable radio on hand to stay informed of the power restoration process.

• Use a car charger to charge mobile devices; keep conversations short to extend battery life.

Comfort:

• Wear layers of clothing and use blankets to stay warm.

• Stay in the brightest part of the house during the day or use the time to go to a place where power is available.

Practical measures:

• Manually open electronic garage doors or gates.

• If it is safe, consider going to the store for supplies, but be careful as traffic lights may be out, creating dangerous road conditions.

For more information, contact: Seattle City Light online or call customer service at 206-684-3000.

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