(CNN) — Some people in Washington state could be without power until at least Saturday after a historically strong bomb cyclone hit the Pacific Northwest with hurricane-force wind gusts.
More than 300,000 people remained without power statewide as of Thursday afternoon, according to Poweroutage.us, a decrease from its peak of more than half a million customers.
Some of the worst damage from this week’s bomb cyclone occurred in King County, where Seattle is located. Damage in the county was still being assessed Thursday morning using helicopters, power provider Puget Sound Energy (PSE) said.
“The strong winds and resulting damage to trees not only downed smaller, local power lines, but also damaged larger transmission lines, the largest lines that bring power to communities,” PSE said in a statement. post on X.
While customers in Pierce and Thurston counties may have power restored this day, customers in Whatcom, Skagit, Island and Kitsap counties may need to wait until Friday evening. Most customers in King County should expect to be without power until Saturday afternoon, the company said.
Power restoration efforts could be complicated by a new storm system. Wind gusts will increase again early Friday morning in parts of western Washington as the new storm strengthens off the coast.
Gusts of 30 to 40 mph are possible Friday afternoon in parts of Thurston, Pierce, King and Kitsap counties, with slightly weaker gusts to the north. Gusts of up to 80 km/h are possible for coastal areas. Winds will decrease in the afternoon and evening on Friday, but will increase again to 20 to 30 mph on Saturday.
Friday’s strongest winds will first impact the mountainous eastern portions of King County before spreading across the county during the afternoon. Wind gusts up to 30 mph are likely in Seattle and its suburbs, especially later in the afternoon.
“We are prepared to respond if there is new damage to the system,” said a press release of PES.
* **Beyond immediate relief efforts, what long-term support systems or resources are needed to ensure the overall well-being and recovery of communities like Mr. Miller’s following such a devastating natural disaster?**
## Interview: Powering Through: The Aftermath of the Washington State Cyclone
Welcome to World Today News. We’re joined today by two guests to discuss the devastating effects of the recent bomb cyclone that hit Washington state, leaving hundreds of thousands without power.
Our guests are:
* **Ms. Sarah Jones:** A spokesperson for Puget Sound Energy (PSE), the primary power provider in the affected area.
* **Mr. David Miller:** A resident of King County, one of the hardest hit areas, and a local community organizer.
**I. The Impact:**
**Host:** Ms. Jones, can you give us an overview of the damage caused by the storm and the extent of the power outages we’ve seen?
**Ms. Jones:** …
**Host:** Mr. Miller, could you share your personal experience of the storm and how it has affected your community?
**Mr. Miller:** …
**II. The Recovery Effort:**
**Host:** Ms. Jones, PSE has been working tirelessly to restore power. Can you elaborate on the challenges faced by your crews in restoring power, particularly with the upcoming storm system?
**Ms. Jones:**…
**Host:** Mr. Miller, has there been adequate support from local authorities and organizations in assisting residents during this power outage? What are the biggest concerns and needs facing your community right now?
**Mr. Miller:**…
**III. Coping Mechanisms & Resilience:**
**Host:** Mr. Miller, how are residents coping with prolonged power outages? What steps are individuals and families taking to manage their day-to-day lives during this time?
**Mr. Miller:**…
**Host:** Ms. Jones, are there any specific resources or tips you can provide to residents to help them navigate the ongoing situation and prepare for potential future outages?
**Ms. Jones:**
**IV. Looking Ahead:**
**Host:** Ms. Jones, what long-term consequences do you anticipate from this powerful storm on the power grid infrastructure in Washington state? What measures might be implemented to mitigate the impact of such events in the future?
**Ms. Jones:**…
**Host:** Mr. Miller, how do you think this experience will shape the community’s preparedness and resilience to future natural disasters?
**Mr. Miller:**…
**Host:** Thank you both for sharing your insights today. This situation highlights the vulnerability of modern infrastructure in the face of extreme weather events. We hope this discussion will continue to raise awareness and encourage community resilience in the wake of such disasters.
