Community

How PenLight, Pierce County responded to last week’s storm damage

Winds began to blow on Jan. 8, and the howling continued into the night as neighborhoods throughout the Gig Harbor and Key peninsulas began to go dark.

Trees fell across roadways and light poles were sheared on Ray Nash Drive in Gig Harbor as well as Lake Holiday on the Key Peninsula, creating a precarious situation for anyone attempting to traverse the area.

This week should be quieter, though not without some weather challenges. The National Weather Service forecasts mixed snow and rain on Tuesday, Jan. 16, followed by possible freezing rain. More normal Western Washington winter weather (read: rain) should return in the second half of the week.

Wind storm response

During the Jan. 8-9 windstorm, Pierce County closed several roads, some briefly and others for longer periods of time due to downed power lines that were still energized.

Peninsula Light Company logged 1,100 total outages as of 7:40 a.m. Jan. 9. Lineman crews assembled in anticipation of the coming storm damage, and with help from Jefferson County Public Utility District in Port Townsend, the work of repairing downed lines began. 

Key Peninsula Fire crews responded to 30 medical or storm-related calls in 36 hours.

“We notify Peninsula Light of where lines are down,” said Anne Nesbitt, public information officer for Key Peninsula Fire District 16. “With our call volume, if we have the ability to do so, (and no electrical lines are involved) we will clear trees.”

A call for help

Because of the widespread power outage, and some sheared-off poles and tree limbs tangled in electric lines, Pen Light needed more manpower to get electricity restored.

“It’s the first time in a while that we’ve had to call for mutual aid,” said Britni Wickens, public information officer for Peninsula Light Company. “We prepare by following weather channels, threads, and the Pierce County Emergency Management sends out alerts that we follow closely.”

With crews needed around the clock for four days, Peninsula Light called for  mutual aid from the Jefferson County Public Utility District.

“Port Townsend lent us a crew, and in this storm they were crucial in getting everyone back on,” Wickens said.

A wind storm that ravaged the area during the week of Jan. 8 sheared off power poles in several areas, including the Lake Holiday neighborhood on the Key Peninsula.
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Ashcraft

Downed trees

Outages started around 8:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, and continued even after the storm subsided because limbs were still falling into electrical lines.

According to the Peninsula Light Facebook page, crews restored power throughout the company’s service area by 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11.

As the winds whipped and trees came down, the Pierce County planning and public works department closed certain roads. 

“We definitely hear from the public about downed trees, and our road crews, if they come across something they might close a road, or lane,” said Anne Radford, public information specialist with Pierce County planning and public works.

When electrical lines come down with the trees, Radford said public works crews call the utility company to assess the situation. When trees come down on county roads, county crews cut them into small pieces that can be run through a chipper. The resulting product goes to Orting to be used as mulch along the county’s levee system there.

Cold arrives

Almost as soon as the peninsulas were back online with power on Thursday, another storm system arrived, but this time with bitter cold temperatures. In response, Pierce County had trucks ready to use de-icer on main roads, and to patrol with plows if needed. 

“During winter weather events we advise people to drive cautiously, take extra time, and leave space between vehicles,” she said.  “Please don’t drive around road closure barricades, or near downed utility lines.”

Forecasters expect temperatures to return to normal by Wednesday, Jan. 17. 

Click here for Pierce County’s website on its snow and ice response. It includes a map of road and lane closures, and other inclement weather information.

To report road, river, or pond issues, visit PierceCountyWa.gov/Works.

To sign up for alerts, visit PierceCountyWa.gov/Alert.