Windstorm knocks out power to thousands in Pierce County | Tacoma News Tribune

A fierce windstorm struck Pierce County, leaving thousands without power as gusts reached 60 mph early Wednesday morning. Tacoma reported over 13,000 outages, with numerous downed trees and power lines obstructing roads and disrupting traffic. Local utility companies, including Tacoma Public Utilities and Puget Sound Energy, are prioritizing the restoration of power to critical infrastructure, such as schools, while managing the storm's aftermath. The outages have significantly affected public transportation, with Sound Transit services temporarily disrupted due to non-functional ticket vending machines and emergency phones. By 1 p.

m. , approximately 1,680 customers were still without power as utility crews worked diligently to resolve the issues. Additionally, several Pierce County school districts announced delayed openings in response to the storm's impact. Residents are advised to exercise caution while navigating the area as repair efforts continue, showcasing the community's resilience in facing this intense weather event.