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 Seattle City Light
News Release |
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| Subject:
MEDIA ADVISORY |
For Immediate Release:
12/16/2006 11:00:00 AM |
For More Information Contact:
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MEDIA ADVISORY
As of 11:00 a.m
Number of customers restored: 117,812 in the past 24 hours (175,000 at the peak of high winds)
Number of customers without power: 57,188
Number of feeders restored: 33
Number of feeders still out: 32
| Crew status: |
Fresh crews are replacing crews that worked through the night, mandatory rest periods of 7 to 8 hours required.
Outage status: Power has been restored to main feeders in the North end including Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, areas hit early and hard. Outages may still exist in these areas on lateral lines that directly feed homes and businesses and will need to be repaired as they are identified. There is partial restoration to feeders in central, west, south and east areas of Seattle service territory. The Saturday focus is to establish feeder restoration in these areas. Currently, we do not have an estimate for total restoration but expect the majority of customers to have service restored by Monday, December 18. Isolated outages may continue for the next 48 to 72 hours.
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| Additional: |
All Code 1 (200 self-identified customers on support medical equipment) are being contacted to assess outages impacting their homes. The Seattle Fire Department will make on-site visits to Code 1 customers that the utility is unable to reach directly.
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| Urgent Safety Message: |
Avoid candles for lighting, open flames can be dangerous. Flashlights are the safest option for lighting. Also, customers should not use a barbecue, propane gas stove or a generator in an enclosed indoor area - even a garage. Carbon monoxide poisoning from fossil fuel fumes can be deadly.
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| Contacts: |
Power Outage Hotline: (206) 684-7400 to report outages
Call Center: (206) 684-3000 to report downed powerlines or other emergencies
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| Call Center: |
(206) 684-3000 to report downed powerlines or other emergencies
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Customer Reminder:
Customers can reduce the discomfort of an extended outage by assembling an emergency kit for home and/or office. The kit should contain some basic essentials such as a flashlight, extra batteries, a battery-operated portable radio, wind-up clock, dry or canned food that doesn’t require heating, a manual can opener, extra blankets and a surge protector for appliances or sensitive electronic equipment. Staying warm by dressing in layers and keeping curtains and doors shut is important.
What to Do When the Power is Out
- Check your circuit breaker or a fuse box. Learn how to reset the circuit breaker or safely change a fuse, and keep proper spares.
- Look around the neighborhood to see if your neighbors’ lights are off.
- Call Seattle City Light Customer Service at (206) 684-3000 to report the outage or call the Power Outage Hotline at (206) 684-7400 to hear a recorded message about current outages and power restoration updates. If your neighborhood is not listed, then stay on the line to provide your address and additional information.
- Dress in layers to conserve body heat.
- Use battery-powered flashlights for illumination. Avoid candles, oil lamps or anything with an open flame.
- Close doors, windows, curtains and unused fireplace dampers to keep heat from escaping.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to keep food fresh. A full refrigerator will maintain safe temperatures for up to six hours; a full freezer for up to two days. Discard at-risk refrigerated foods that are warmer than 45 degrees F. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Do not use an open flame for cooking. Also, do not use a portable barbecue grill inside the house for cooking.
- Do not operate portable generators inside the home or garage.
- Check your alarm system. Some alarm systems are sensitive to power outages.
- Use hot water sparingly. Most hot water tanks will retain heat for up to 24 hours.
- Unplug or turn off sensitive electronic equipment to protect it from power surges.
- Note that cordless phones will not work without electricity. Have a cell phone or corded phone available.
- Locate and use the manual override for your electric garage doors or gates.
- Leave one or two lights on to alert you that service is restored.
- When power is restored, turn on electrical appliances gradually. Sudden heavy consumption can drain the electrical system and extend the outage.
For more information and outage updates, visit Seattle City Light’s web site: www.seattle.gov/light
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Seattle City Light is a publicly owned utility dedicated to exceeding our customers' expectations in producing and delivering low cost, reliable power in an environmentally responsible and safe way. We are committed to delivering the best customer service experience of any utility in the nation.
Seattle City Light
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Customer Service
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Call (206) 684-3000
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