Seattle power outage: official map, reporting and safety

If your power is out in Seattle, first confirm which utility serves the address and check that utility’s map. For Seattle City Light customers, the official outage map is the primary source and updates every five minutes. If the outage is still absent after about five minutes, call (206) 684-3000 from the phone linked to the account or have the account number ready.

A missing restoration time does not mean the outage has been overlooked. Seattle City Light generally posts an estimate after crews reach the site and complete an initial assessment. That time may change as the damage and required work become clearer.

Check the address, not only the county count

A King County total can show the scale of the disruption, but it cannot say when a particular property will regain power. At 18:15 UTC on November 8, 2026, independent aggregator MassOutage listed 8,930 customers without power across 126 reported incidents in the county. The service itself warns that its information may be incomplete and is not a substitute for the utility.

King County has several electricity providers. Do not assume every address in Seattle or a neighboring community is served by Seattle City Light. Check a bill, the property’s utility records or the provider’s website before reporting the outage. For practical decisions, rely on the latest information from the utility responsible for that address.

Understand the map’s blind spots

Seattle City Light’s map does not include underground network distribution areas in Downtown Seattle, First Hill and the University District. An outage there can be genuine even when no icon appears. The outage-alert system currently being tested also does not cover those underground network areas.

Elsewhere, select the outage icon or open the “Events” tab to look for a cause and estimated restoration time, when available. According to City Light guidance published November 6, an estimate is typically added only after the crew’s initial assessment. Treat it as an estimate, not a guarantee.

Report the outage through the right channel

To report an outage to Seattle City Light, call (206) 684-3000. Have the account number or associated phone number available. A call is especially important when the outage remains missing from the map after roughly five minutes, because the utility may not know about it yet.

Do not use an aggregator to file a report: it compiles information but cannot notify the utility on your behalf. AlertSeattle serves a different purpose as well. It provides public-emergency and severe-weather notifications, not address-level updates about a household’s electricity.

Stay clear of downed lines

Treat every downed line as energized. Seattle City Light says to remain at least 30 feet away—about 9 meters—and call 911. If a power line falls on your car, remain inside until first responders say it is safe to leave.

At intersections where signals are dark, AlertSeattle’s municipal guidance says to treat the intersection as a four-way stop and watch for drivers who may fail to stop. Keep clear of utility work zones as well.

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and fire

Operate generators outdoors only, more than 20 feet—about 6 meters—from windows, doors and vents. Never use a barbecue, camp stove, kerosene heater, gas lantern or generator indoors. These devices can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

City Light recommends battery-backed carbon monoxide detectors in central locations on every level of the home. Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for emergency lighting; AlertSeattle advises against candles because of the fire risk.

Protect food, medicine and electronics

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. City Light’s published guidance says food remains safe for about four hours in a closed refrigerator and 48 hours in a full freezer. Food kept above 40°F (about 4.4°C) for two hours or longer should be discarded. Ask a pharmacist about refrigerated medicine rather than assuming it is still usable.

Unplug computers and other sensitive electronics to reduce the chance of surge damage when service returns. Leave one light switched on as an indicator that power is back.

Anyone who relies on power-dependent medical equipment should follow the backup-power plan developed with their health care provider. City Light’s Life Support Equipment program may provide notices in certain circumstances, but it does not supply backup power.

Make one final official check

Customer counts, causes and restoration estimates change as crews assess individual outages. Check the utility map again before making decisions based on the condition of the grid. For any life- or property-threatening emergency, call 911.