Washington Windstorm Cuts Power to 115,000 Homes Across Puget Sound Region

A powerful Washington windstorm swept across western Washington on Saturday evening, November 7, 2026, knocking out power to more than 115,000 homes and businesses in the first major winter weather system of the season for the Puget Sound lowlands. Gusts reached 69 mph on the coast, toppling trees and power lines across the region.

Seattle City Light, the largest utility in the area, reported about 46,000 customers without power at the peak of the storm, with outages concentrated in South and West Seattle and in Burien. About 33,000 customers were still without power at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, and crews expected restoration work to continue through Sunday.

Key Points

• More than 115,000 homes and businesses lost power across western Washington as the windstorm moved through on Saturday evening, November 7, 2026.
• Seattle City Light reported about 46,000 customers without power at the peak, with about 33,000 still out at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, mostly in South and West Seattle and Burien.
• Gusts reached 69 mph at Hoquiam on the coast, 50 mph in Bellevue, 48 mph at Paine Field in Everett and 46 mph at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
• Downed trees and power lines blocked roads, including all southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near U.S. Highway 12, and darkened traffic signals and homes.
• The National Weather Service placed the Puget Sound region under a Wind Advisory from 6 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday, with High Wind Warnings on the coast.

What Happened

The storm arrived on Saturday evening as a strong cold front crossed the Pacific Northwest, the first major winter system of the season for the Puget Sound lowlands. Winds strengthened through the evening, and by nightfall the region faced widespread outages, blocked roads and darkened neighbourhoods.

Seattle City Light said the outages were concentrated in South and West Seattle and in Burien, where falling trees and branches brought down power lines. At the peak, about 46,000 of the utility's customers were without power. By 10:30 p.m. Saturday, about 33,000 remained out as crews worked through the night to clear damage and restore service.

Across the wider region, the outage total climbed past 115,000 homes and businesses. Downed trees and power lines blocked roads, including all southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near U.S. Highway 12, and traffic signals went dark from Capitol Hill to Lincoln Park.

Background and Context

Western Washington is no stranger to autumn windstorms, but the November 7 system was the first major winter weather event of the season for the Puget Sound lowlands. The region's tall evergreens, soaked by autumn rain, are vulnerable to strong winds, and falling trees are the most common cause of storm outages in the Seattle area.

Seattle City Light serves the city and parts of neighbouring communities, while Puget Sound Energy covers much of the surrounding area. When a storm of this size hits, outages spread across several utilities, and restoration depends on crews clearing fallen trees before lines can be repaired.

The region was already on alert. The National Weather Service had placed Puget Sound under a Wind Advisory from 6 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday, with High Wind Warnings along the coast, where the strongest gusts were expected.

Washington Windstorm: The Strongest Gusts and Hardest-Hit Areas

The strongest wind recorded was 69 mph at Hoquiam, on the Washington coast, where a High Wind Warning was in effect. Inland, gusts reached 50 mph in Bellevue, 48 mph at Paine Field in Everett and 46 mph at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, strong enough to bring down trees and branches across the region.

South and West Seattle were among the hardest-hit areas inside the city, along with Burien, just south of the city limits. Seattle City Light reported that most of its peak outages were in those areas, where falling trees took down lines serving whole blocks. In the wider region, outages were spread from the coast through the Puget Sound lowlands.

Fallen trees also blocked roads, including a stretch of Interstate 5, and debris covered streets across the region. Traffic signals went dark in several neighbourhoods, and residents from Capitol Hill to Lincoln Park spent the evening without power.

Reactions and Response

Utility crews worked through Saturday night to restore power, starting with the largest outages and the most damaged lines. Seattle City Light said restoration was expected to extend through Sunday, as crews cleared fallen trees and repaired lines one neighbourhood at a time.

The National Weather Service kept the Wind Advisory in place through 4 a.m. Sunday for the Puget Sound region, while High Wind Warnings continued on the coast. Officials advised residents to stay clear of downed power lines and to treat any darkened traffic signal as a four-way stop.

Drivers were urged to avoid roads blocked by fallen trees. No injuries from the storm had been reported by Saturday night.

Why It Matters

The windstorm matters because it was the first major winter weather system of the season, and it showed how quickly one storm can leave more than 115,000 homes and businesses in the dark. For families in South and West Seattle and Burien, it meant a night without heat, light or refrigeration as temperatures fell.

It also matters because more storms are on the way. Forecasters said another pair of storms is expected to reach western Washington on Monday, which could slow restoration and bring fresh outages before the weekend damage is fully repaired.

What Happens Next

Restoration work will continue through Sunday, with utility crews clearing fallen trees and repairing damaged lines. Seattle City Light and other utilities will work through their outage lists, starting with the largest outages.

The next test comes on Monday, when another pair of storms is forecast to reach western Washington. Forecasters will be watching whether the new systems bring winds as strong as Saturday's, and utilities will be watching whether the already weakened trees and lines can take another round of wind.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people lost power?
More than 115,000 homes and businesses across western Washington. Seattle City Light reported about 46,000 customers without power at the peak, with about 33,000 still out at 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

How strong were the winds?
Gusts reached 69 mph at Hoquiam on the coast, 50 mph in Bellevue, 48 mph at Paine Field in Everett and 46 mph at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Which areas were hit hardest?
In Seattle, the outages were concentrated in South and West Seattle and in Burien. The wider Puget Sound region and the coast were also affected, with downed trees blocking roads including Interstate 5.

When will power be restored?
Restoration was expected to extend through Sunday, November 8, as crews clear fallen trees and repair damaged lines. Another pair of storms is forecast for Monday, which could slow the work.

What should residents do about downed power lines?
Stay clear of downed lines, treat darkened traffic signals as four-way stops, and report fallen lines to the local utility. Never touch a tree or branch that is touching a power line.

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