Storm Coverage: Sporadic Power Outages, Falling Ice and Snow in Lakewood

While hundreds of thousands of residents in the Puget Sound region are still without power, there are sporadic outages reported in Lakewood, according to Tacoma Public Utilities spokesperson Chris Gleason.

Lakewood's power predicament is much less widespread than the 254,000 Puget Sound Energy customers without power. Restoring power to scattered areas  within the city, however, remains a challenge in some pockets.

There's no clear estimate as to how many outages are in Lakewood. One Patch reader living near said power has been out since 6 a.m. Thursday in his entire neighborhood. Tony Miller and his wife, April, have been relegated to taking showers at work and at a relative's house.

"It's 48 degrees in my house," Miller said. "I may have to get the propane heater out."

Dan Livingston, who lives in Tillicum, said power was restored around noon Friday. Other neighborhoods, such as Southgate, never lost power.

Three power companies serve the city of 60,000: TPU, Puget Sound Energy and Lakeview Light & Power. TPU services about one-third of Lakewood's residential and commercial meters. Lakeview supplies power to 10,000 and the rest of the city is served by PSE.

Terry Elvom, customer service representative at Lakeview, said its customers are not experiencing any outages.

"All our meters are currently operational," he said, adding that crews are out helping other utility operations.

According to PSE's outage map, about 2,940 customers were without power in the Lakewood area Friday afternoon. PSE predicts many areas in its service area will remain without power through the weekend.

Downed trees, utility lines

The biggest issues the Lakewood Public Works Department is dealing with are downed trees and utility lines, said Greg Vigoren, surface water division manager.

"We have crews out clearing trees if there are no interfering utility lines," he said. "We contact various utilities when lines are down. There are currently no major closures to report."

Vigoren added that public works crews are currently not plowing, because their focus is on clearing trees.

"Citizens can help by clearing their neighborhood storm drains to minimize standing water," he said.

Melting snow, falling sheets of ice

Hallie McCurdy, West Pierce Fire & Rescue Assistant Fire Marshall, said residents need to be careful if they decide to go outside.

"Obviously, look up and look what’s around you before you go walking outside," McCurdy said. "Tree branches along with chunks of ice are falling."