Majority of MI without power following massive wind storm

‘Bomb cyclone’ hits region on Nov. 19.

By Andy Nystrom • November 20, 2024 9:30 am

Following last night’s hefty wind storm — termed a “bomb cyclone” — across the region, the power remains out for the majority of Mercer Island as of this morning and Mercer Island School District classes are cancelled today, according to the city and school district.

According to the city: “Puget Sound Energy (PSE) anticipates outages may last several days. PSE crews are working hard to restore electricity across the Island but personnel are spread thin due to the region-wide impacts.” For updates on estimated restoration times, residents can visit PSE’s outage map at: https://www.pse.com/en/outage/outage-map

PSE’s power outage map signifies that the estimated restoration time on the Island is by noon on Nov. 23.

Last night between about 6-8 p.m., the fallen power lines caused a sort of cascading effect across the Island grid and different neighborhoods lost power at separate times, according to the city.

Presently, the city is adjusting its operations, and the community and event center is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. — running off backup power — during the emergency with adjusted programming and limited services, including areas where residents can charge phones and devices and utilize the internet. The Mercer Island Thrift Shop is closed today.

Police and public works crews continue to patrol the Island and clean up downed trees and fallen debris as PSE focuses on the power lines. The storm also knocked over some power poles overnight, according to the city, which added that police and fire personnel are responding to various emergencies.

“Checking on neighbors, especially those who are elderly, is very helpful,” the city said.

On the storm cleanup front, the city has activated two debris collection sites at the Homestead Park parking lot and the South Mercer Playfields parking lot during daylight hours for residents to drop off leaves, branches and other vegetation strewn about overnight.

The Reporter will update this story as more information becomes available as the city noted that it will provide a status update on roads and services later today.

For more information, visit: https://www.mercerisland.gov/emergency-management/page/november-19-2024-wind-storm-information