(Thursday night photo by Christopher Boffoli)
As you probably know by now, even if you weren’t affected, 3,000 West Seattle homes and businesses were without power for up to five hours last night – mostly in north and northeast West Seattle. Here’s our as-it-happened coverage from last night; this morning, we checked with Seattle City Light‘s Scott Thomsen to see if a specific cause (aside from “weather”) had been nailed down, and here’s his reply:
We believe it was caused by a tree crossing two phases of a feeder, which creates a short circuit and throws the breakers. Our crews followed the full length of the line looking for damage. As they cleared each section, they brought it back to service. They did not find any damaged equipment.
(Wondering “what’s a feeder”? Thomsen’s explanation: “Feeder lines take electricity from substations into neighborhoods. They typically carry enough electricity for 3,000 to 4,000 homes and businesses.”) Again, everything’s back to normal today, including the Admiral Theater, which starts Seattle International Film Festival showings this afternoon – and is site of the free fun West Seattle SIFF celebration to which you’re invited, Seafair Pirates and treats and more, 5:30-6:45 tonight, hope to see you there!
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