Power comes back for many… but here comes the wind

Published 1:07 pm Sunday, January 22, 2012

Electricity began to return to parts of the Valley Saturday, Jan. 21, but some areas still remain without power, and may not get it back for days.

Power began to flow in parts of North Bend, Snoqualmie and Carnation starting Saturday, Jan. 21. Around noon Saturday, power returned to North Bend neighborhoods including Wood River, Exit 31, parts of Forster Woods, and new Si View. Next, the North Bend Premium Outlet Mall saw restored service. Most of downtown came back on by 2 p.m., and Boxley’s Place went ahead with a night of musical entertainment.

Snoqualmie residents began getting power back on Saturday afternoon as well. Some areas, such as downtown Snoqualmie, saw power come on and then stop again.

Puget Sound Energy reports that people living in more remote or forested areas may not see electric service restored for a couple of days. Parts of Snoqualmie and North Bend won’t be reenergized until late evening Tuesday, Jan. 24, while power may not be resumed fully in Fall City or Preston until the late evening of Wednesday, Jan. 25.

A windstorm predicted to hit the Valley today may not help matters. The National Weather Service is tracking a new front bringing windy conditions to Western Washington this afternoon and evening. Winds of 20 to 30 mph from the southeast, with gusts to 50 miles per hour, will affect locations including the Snoqualmie Valley.

Trees damaged by the recent ice storm may lost branches, causing more outages.