UPDATE: Power outage in High Point, blamed on ‘switch failure’

| High Point | Utilities | West Seattle news

1:05 PM: Texter in High Point says they heard a boom, and they’re out. Here in Upper Fauntleroy, we had a big flicker, but power returned fast. While we await the map update, anyone else out?

1:07 PM: 893 customers, per SCL map.

1:12 PM: Added screengrab of map, showing this is centered in High Point. No word yet what the aforementioned “boom” was – no area calls on the SFD log so far.\

1:38 PM: A texter tells us they’ve spoken to the crew working on the problem – they said the crew was doing maintenance at 32nd/Juneau when a transformer blew, and that it could take up to four hours to fix.

3:48 PM: After almost three hours, it’s fixed, according to messages we’re getting (thank you!).

4:35 PM: We asked SCL spokesperson Julie Moore for details on the cause, and the report that a crew was in the area doing work when it happened. Her reply: “Crews were in the area doing maintenance on an unrelated piece of equipment. A switch failure caused the outage.”

Greg November 12, 2020 (1:07 pm)

At 35th and Thistle our power went out for 2 seconds and then reset

Er November 12, 2020 (1:07 pm)

Is for 10 seconds at Lincoln park.

helpermonkey November 12, 2020 (1:08 pm)

Flickered here in Morgan Junction. I knew there must have been an outage close by and could jump over here to confirm! :)

Brooke November 12, 2020 (1:08 pm)

We heard a loud pop and the power flickered here, but stayed on. We are near 35th and Findlay.

Will November 12, 2020 (1:08 pm)

From upper Fauntleroy – I saw a bright flash and Xfinity TV service went out, but not internet. Xfinity working now.

Dan November 12, 2020 (1:08 pm)

Seattle city light map shows a big red blob over high point

ML November 12, 2020 (1:08 pm)

I’m on 34th and Juneau, loud boom and flicker of lights, but power still on

MC November 12, 2020 (1:09 pm)

No power in High Point near the public library.

doubleA November 12, 2020 (1:09 pm)

35th and Elmgrove – power out for only a second.

Tom November 12, 2020 (1:10 pm)

Yes, precisely at 1 p.m., power went out at 25th Ave SW & SW Trenton St. Only for a few seconds.

Jim November 12, 2020 (5:57 pm)

I live near you but we didn’t notice a thing other than about a 5 minute Internet outage.

S November 12, 2020 (1:11 pm)

Very brief outage Gatewood

Daniel November 12, 2020 (1:13 pm)

Out in high point, didn’t hear a boom probably because my robot was vacuuming.I flipped my breakers thinking I blew a fuse

rpo November 12, 2020 (1:16 pm)

Went out for a second in North Admiral too

Hayleigh November 12, 2020 (1:24 pm)

Longer than a flicker at my gatewood home. Immediately texted my shop to see and as of now they are still out on 35th and graham. It’s very strange that the surge reached this far and wide. I hope everyone is okay and not in an elevator.

WSB November 12, 2020 (1:36 pm)

The grid is interconnected far and wide … there’ve been past outages when we’d flicker here but the actual problem was way on the north end.

High point resident November 12, 2020 (1:24 pm)

heard a giant boom over by Juneau St, power went out right after the sound!

Alicia November 12, 2020 (1:35 pm)

The boom and flash were right across from my house at 32nd and juneau. Seattle city lights was already here and working when it happened

newnative November 12, 2020 (1:37 pm)

Short flicker in North Admiral. I warned my coworkers and plugged my phone in, and checked the weather.

Tiah November 12, 2020 (1:49 pm)

Breaker trip at 39th and Manning, too.

Lee November 12, 2020 (1:57 pm)

Near Alaska Junction. Had a brief flicker right around that time. Brief enough that I wouldn’t have noticed if my backup battery hadn’t sent a warning beep.

Andrew November 12, 2020 (1:58 pm)

Mr C at WSES is going to wonder why only half of his normal half-class is showing up for math today. : )

KC November 12, 2020 (2:12 pm)

Out for a second in Highland Park.

dcn November 12, 2020 (2:16 pm)

I lost power for a few seconds at 28th and Thistle. Long enough for me to lose wifi and my Zoom class was abruptly ended. Luckily, I was able to get back on within a couple of minutes and my class was able to rejoin. Also, luckily, they didn’t give up on me and take the day off from class.

Thomas Spaulding November 12, 2020 (2:17 pm)

SCL crews are at 31st Ave SW and SW Juneau St. Said some switches blew.

sal November 12, 2020 (2:55 pm)

Hmm, wonder if that surge was the root cause of our office’s remote access issues/ network issues? Started right about that time, 1:02… :(

Trickycoolj November 12, 2020 (3:15 pm)

For once it wasn’t the half of High Point fed from down the hill through the green belt. Sorry neighbors.

Jort November 12, 2020 (3:28 pm)

I hope the crew doing the repairs at 32nd and Juneau were not injured when the transformer blew up.

Daniel November 12, 2020 (3:32 pm)

Power is back on now, just as I returned home 👍🏻

Laurel November 12, 2020 (8:31 pm)

Hey WSB, seems like everyone who lost power is back up, but the City crew is still working hard at something (they have been all evening). Any idea what they are still fixing? We live at 32nd and Juneau and this massive power pole is literally out my front window. I watched the thing blow earlier today, followed by a momentary outage. Massive boom and sparks galore! After watching all the action today, I’m just wondering what they are still working on?

WSB November 12, 2020 (8:34 pm)

All I know is what I added above, that SCL’s spokesperson said they were working on an unrelated part of the system when the switch failed. Don’t know if the work at this hour is a continuation of what they were doing before the outage or a continuation of repairs, or both, or neither …

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