La Conner darkened by weekend power outages

It’s long been said that two things in life are certain – death and taxes.

Now a third certainty can be added to the list: high winds in November leading to power outages in and around La Conner.

A year almost to the day after a windstorm knocked out power for local Puget Sound Energy customers, gusts exceeding 60 mph Friday night led to extended outages from southeastern Fidalgo Island across Swinomish Channel to the Skagit River at Fir Island.

Some households reported a literal “on again, off again” experience with their electrical service from Friday night until late Saturday afternoon. Seven PSE automated phone notifications went to La Conner residents between 10:31 p.m. and 11:20 a.m. The last gave a 1 p.m. estimated time for power restored.

The cause of the outages, which impacted more than 3,000 La Conner area PSE customers, was windswept trees and vegetation striking above ground power lines.

Power flickered on and off starting late Friday before service here was completely interrupted around 3:15 a.m. Saturday. PSE crews, fire units and the Washington State Department of Transportation responded to multiple reports of downed trees in Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties.

Locally, PSE customers said the windstorm felled trees on Indian Road, Pioneer Parkway, Maple Lane (not Maple Avenue) and next to the Thousand Trails RV Resort off Snee Oosh Road.

The extent of the damage, occurring in various locations, led PSE officials to repeatedly push ahead projected times on Saturday for power restoration around La Conner – from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and finally, in isolated areas, 7 p.m.

The outages forced late Veterans Day openings of stores and businesses, including Pioneer Market and the Swinomish Markets fuel station. Internet service was also out.

Awakening to cold homes, several La Conner area residents bundled up and drove to Mount Vernon and Burlington for meals and to buy essentials. At least one Pleasant Ridge resident traveled to the Skagit Valley Food Co-op in Mount Vernon to purchase a deli lunch and ice.

Power was restored in La Conner around 1:30 p.m. Almost immediately, eight cars pulled into the Pioneer Market parking lot. People waited at the door for over 15 minutes without the store opening, though lights were on inside and outside the building. Staff later said food did not have to be tossed.

PSE crews were a constant presence Saturday at the Peth’s Corner electrical substation near the intersection of La Conner-Whitney and McLean roads. Utility trucks were still on duty there after 7 p.m.

The day’s disruptions, while temporary, were not downplayed by La Conner area residents. They were grateful, two weeks ahead of hanksgiving, for having regained electrical service.

“Thank you, PSE!” said Carolyn VanderVegt, no doubt speaking for many. “You don’t miss the water ‘til the well runs dry.”