Seattle City Light: Equipment failure leaves thousand without power for hours

Massive power outage hits Seattle as thousands of Seattle City Light customers remain without electricity

Thousands of Seattle City Light customers were left without power for hours on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, after a major equipment failure at a substation in the city's SoDo neighborhood.

The outage began at around 10:30 a.m. and affected approximately 15,000 customers in the Belltown, Queen Anne, and Ballard neighborhoods.

Seattle City Light crews were quickly dispatched to the scene and began working to restore power. However, the repairs were complex and time-consuming, and it took several hours to fully restore electricity to all affected customers.

The outage caused widespread disruption in the affected neighborhoods. Businesses were forced to close, and traffic signals were out of service. Some residents were also without heat or hot water.

Seattle City Light officials said that the equipment failure was caused by a faulty capacitor at the substation. The capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy and helps to regulate voltage.

The outage is a reminder of the importance of having a reliable power grid. Seattle City Light is working to improve the reliability of its system, but there is always the potential for outages to occur.

Here are some tips for preparing for a power outage:

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Have a battery-powered radio and flashlight on hand.

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Keep a supply of non-perishable food and water on hand.

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Have a plan for how you will communicate with family and friends if the power goes out.

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If you have a medical condition that requires electricity, make sure you have a plan for how you will get the power you need.

For more information on how to prepare for a power outage, visit the Seattle City Light website