Power outages in Kirkland close some local schools

A wind storm that ravaged the Puget Sound area nocked out power to many neighborhoods in Kirkland in Tuesday evening.

A wind storm that ravaged the Puget Sound area knocked out power to many neighborhoods in Kirkland in Tuesday evening.

As of 7 a.m. on Wednesday Puget Sound Energy was reporting that “there are more than 600 locations that need repair and approximately 100,000 customers remain without power in the Puget Sound area.

“At least 25 of our transmission lines need to be repaired,” said PSE spokesperson Ray Lane. “They are a priority since they provide electricity to tens of thousands of customers… This is the region with the largest number of customers without power – about 54,000 are out in North King County.”

PSE said that at the peak of the storm, 220,000 customers were without power.

“Joining our servicemen and linemen out in the field are 32 additional crews from other areas to assist with restoration efforts,” Lane said.

PSE customers can check the outage map for latest updates and restoration estimates for specific neighborhoods in Kirkland.

Company officials remind residents to never touch downed power lines and always assume they’re energized. To report a downed power line call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or dial 9-1-1.

The Lake Washington School District has also canceled school for Juanita High School, Finn Hill Middle School, Kamiakin Middle School, Kirkland Middle School and Environmental and Adventure school. The following elementary schools are also closed: Peter Kirk, Franklin, Keller, Bell, Juanita, Frost, Sandburg, Thoreau, Muir and Horace Mann.

The following programs are canceled: All before school band and orchestra, Pull Out Quest, Out of district transportation and all extended day.

The following schools have power and are in session, but the phones are down. To reach these schools, use the emergency numbers listed below:

• Dickinson / Explorer: (425) 836-4658

• Rosa Parks: (425) 836-1350

Phones at the LWSD Resource Center are working intermittently. The Resource Center can be reached on the emergency line at (425) 861-7765.