Puget Sound Energy is Preparing to Respond to Potential Power Outages from This Weekend’s High Wind Forecast

Puget Sound Energy is closely monitoring the National Weather Service forecast of high winds this weekend and is preparing to respond to power outages that may result from the weather conditions that are expected to impact the utility’s service area in Western Washington.

"Our assessment and repair crews are on alert and we’re working to secure additional resources, if necessary, to promptly determine the extent of any damage after the storm hits and be in a position to restore power to any customers who experience outages as quickly as possible,” said Sue McLain, senior vice president of Operations for PSE.

Above and beyond PSE’s own resources of 80 service line workers and 100 substation employees, the utility uses more than 50 line crews in its usual day-to-day operations. These resources are lined up and ready to respond. PSE is securing an additional 40 line crews and 12 tree trimming crews to arrive early Sunday morning from other parts of Washington, Oregon and Canada. As details of the approaching storm become clearer, additional actions may be taken. PSE is also increasing the number of available call center representatives and is ready to post a storm alert map on the utility’s Web site: www.PSE.com.

Given the current forecast, PSE is mobilizing crews and resources for a multi-day event, meaning PSE is expecting potentially extensive damage from the gale force winds that are predicted. Customers should be prepared for power outages lasting more than a day.

"We will communicate with our customers every way possible,” said McLain. "This includes encouraging customers to call PSE 24-hours-a-day at 1-888-225-5773 if they experience any outages, as well as regularly updating the news media, our call center messages and the storm alert map as we get reports from the field.

"We ask customers to remember that for safety purposes, PSE personnel may be unable to fully assess the damage until the winds subside,” added McLain. "Additionally, even though all of our vehicles are equipped with snow traction and chains, road conditions may impact our response time.”

In the event of damage to the utility’s electric system, PSE urges customers to stay away from downed power lines. If anyone encounters a downed power line, stay well away from the line or anything it may be touching. Immediately report the location of fallen wires to PSE by calling 1-888-225-5773, or call 911.

Here are some additional tips:

• Create an outage kit equipped with a three-day supply of bottled water and non-perishable food; can opener; flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio to keep track of storm developments and PSE’s progress in restoring power. PSE will issue regular reports to local TV, radio and newspapers.
• Do not use charcoal or a gas grill to cook indoors. Both can cause a buildup of poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
• Turn off lights and unplug all appliances and sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers, to prevent an overload on circuits when electric service is restored. Leave one light on to indicate when service returns.

About Puget Sound Energy

Washington state’s oldest and largest energy utility, with a 6,000-square-mile service area stretching across 11 counties, Puget Sound Energy serves more than 1 million electric customers and nearly 750,000 natural gas customers, primarily in Western Washington. PSE, a subsidiary of Puget Energy (NYSE: PSD), meets the energy needs of its growing customer base through incremental, cost-effective energy conservation, low-cost procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the energy-delivery infrastructure. PSE employees are dedicated to providing great customer service to deliver energy that is safe, reliable, reasonably priced, and environmentally responsible.