Why did nearly 3,000 Puyallup residents lose power Sunday? Heres what we found out

On Sunday, a rat caused a significant power outage in Puyallup, impacting nearly 3,000 residents when it entered a switch can, damaging critical equipment. The outage began at approximately 2:30 PM, primarily affecting those living near Good Samaritan Hospital. However, the hospital itself did not experience a loss of power, thanks to its reliable backup systems that ensured continuous operation. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) reported that most of the affected residents had their power restored within two to three hours, with only 123 residents still waiting for electricity to be restored by 7:20 PM. The outage also impacted nearby traffic signals on Meridian Avenue, contributing to local traffic disruptions.

Adding to the confusion, PSE's online outage map incorrectly labeled the situation with a "Gig Harbor" tag, which was later clarified as a technical glitch. This incident highlights the unexpected challenges utilities can face and the importance of quick restoration efforts. Community members can take solace in the rapid response from PSE, ensuring that the majority of residents were back online swiftly.