STORM UPDATE | Progress being made in effort to restore power, utility reports

The number of customers without power is down to 45,600, Puget Sound Energy reported in an afternoon update. The utility said it expects power to be restored to most communities by Thursday, though repairs for hard hit areas could stretch into Friday and Saturday. Restoration times are expected to be announced later today, according to the 3 p.m. update.

November 18, 2015 6:59 pm
A car skirts a tree downed during Tuesday's windstorm on East Saratoga Road. Puget Sound Energy reported this afternoon that it's making progress restoring power to communities throughout the region but road debris has been a challenge on South Whidbey.
A car skirts a tree downed during Tuesday's windstorm on East Saratoga Road. Puget Sound Energy reported this afternoon that it's making progress restoring power to communities throughout the region but road debris has been a challenge on South Whidbey.

The number of customers without power is down to 45,600, Puget Sound Energy reported in an afternoon update.

The utility said it expects power to be restored to most communities by Thursday, though repairs for hard hit areas could stretch into Friday and Saturday. Restoration times are expected to be announced later today, according to the 3 p.m. update.

“We understand our customers need the best information possible in order to make plans and adjustments,” the company said, in the update.

South Whidbey was one the areas hit hardest by Tuesday’s windstorm. Crews reportedly worked through the night to assess damage. Efforts continued today but were “slowed by the amount of debris on the roadway and closures.”

Other heavily affected areas include King, Kitsap and Skagit counties. Regionally, the storm knocked out power to more than 200,000 customers.