Seattle, WA
WA power companies prepare to help people left in the dark following windy night
TACOMA, Wash. – Tacoma Power says the entire service area could be in the path of strong winds overnight.
What they’re saying:
Both PSE and officials at Tacoma Power say they have crews on standby and equipment ready if the power goes out.
“We will work round the clock until everyone has their power restored,” said Melanie Coon, Media Team Leader, Puget Sound Energy (PSE).
While Coon says this latest round of wind isn’t expected to be as devastating as November’s bomb cyclone, it could still pack a punch.
“We ask people to have an emergency kit, to make sure they have supplies on hand,” said Coon. “Flashlights, batteries. Have they replaced the batteries since the storm? During the bomb cyclone, what have you done since that last storm?”
Coon says crews always tackle preventive maintenance to prepare in advance.
“They are trimming trees, they are cutting back vegetation, they are inspecting the lines,” said Coon.
She says trucks are also gassed up and ready to deploy overnight.
“Another thing we do is calling out additional help, additional crews in case it is a big storm, and we have to call crews from other, other contract crews from other companies,” said Coon.
The PSE team is also monitoring the forecast carefully.
“Looking at the southwest interior, which is Thurston County, Kitsap, Bremerton, Silverdale area. That is supposed to get some higher winds in this storm,” says PSE.
Tacoma Power has also been prepping its crews.
“They are ready to engage. Our trucks are ready. We have our equipment and our materials ready. If we do experience outages, we do have people to respond,” said Jim Boyd, Tacoma Power, Electric Operations Safety Manager.
Boyd says because of recent rains, there is the potential for trees to topple in addition to branches coming down.
“Some of the trees don’t have very deep roots because of the large amount of moisture that we get in this area. In high winds, as opposed to tree limbs breaking off, occasionally trees will uproot and go over,” said Boyd.
What you can do:
Here are some tips from Pemco Insurance and the power companies for safeguarding your home:
- Secure outdoor Items, like patio furniture
- Generator Safety; do not place in a garage or near entrances to your home to prevent carbon monoxide risks
- Unplug sensitive electronics such as computers and TVs that can be damaged in power surges
- Charge devices
- Replace flashlight batteries
- Fill up your car in case of an outage at nearby gas stations
The Source: Information in this story is from Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Power and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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SEATTLE – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport officials are preparing for increased air traffic as schools let out for spring break, music festivals start to come back, and weather conditions improve.
From Real ID deadlines to new airport restaurants, parking procedures and spot savers, there are several ways to make travel easier and more enjoyable this spring.
Seattle Tacoma International Airport seen on Mar. 29, 2025
By the numbers:
First, the airport will be busy. Passenger volume is expected to rise this year again, with airport officials planning for at least 5% bigger crowds compared to the same time period last year.
- Friday, April 4, 169,000 estimated overall travelers (arriving, departing, and connecting)
- Thursday, April 11, 164,000 passengers
- Thursday, April 3, 161,000 passengers
- Friday, April 18, 161,000 passengers
- Thursday, April 10, 158,000 passengers
- Thursday, April 17, 156,000 passengers
Spring break for Seattle Public Schools in 2025 will be Apr. 14-18.
When does Real ID go into effect at U.S. airports?
May 7, 2025 is the deadline for the federal REAL ID Act. This means anyone traveling by airplane will need to be compliant with identity documents fitting Real ID standards. More information is available at the Washington State Department of Licensing.
How does construction impact travel at SEA Airport?
The SEA Gateway project is a years-long project to improve the security and flow of airport traffic. However, there will be interruptions in the meantime.
Security checkpoint 5 is closed. Airport employees wearing green uniforms are deployed to help passengers navigate construction areas.
For those traveling with Alaska Airlines, you can check in and do bag drops at the Bridge level.
How to reserve parking at SEA Airport
The fourth floor of the parking garage has space guaranteed for passengers with Reserve Parking. Airport officials recommend reserving your spot two weeks in advance.
If you are not reserving parking, customers are advised to allow an extra 30-45 minutes to find drive up spaces in their general parking areas.
Saving a spot in line at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Washington residents have enjoyed the SEA Spot Saver since 2021, and as travel seasons ramp up more, the service will continue to be available for passengers.
The spot saver allows you to do just that, save a spot to be able to skip security lines at SEA Airport. The service has been popular, with more than one million passengers using it in just the first two years of operation.
The Source: Information for this article comes from original FOX 13 reporting and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
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