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The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for locations in our service area from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning, with southeast to southwest winds forecasted including gusts up to 50 mph.

We have been watching the forecast closely and preparing for stormy weather. Our Emergency Coordination Center and local storm bases are staffed and ready to open and crews will deploy with assignments as it’s safe to do so.

We know how disruptive power outages can be. We appreciate your patience and will be working to restore power as quickly as we safely can. 

As we prepare for storm conditions, we encourage our customers to do the same: 

  • Make sure to have emergency supplies on hand at home and in your vehicle, such as extra batteries, flashlights, food and blankets 
  • Have a battery-powered radio ready to go 
  • Charge cell phones and mobile devices in case the power goes out 
 

alert 

Safety first.

  • Never touch or go within 35 feet of downed power lines because they might be energized. Call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report problems.

  • If you’re using portable heaters, keep them away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials.

  • Always use flashlights instead of candles.

  • Be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning:

    • Never install or use a generator indoors or in enclosed or partially-enclosed areas, even those that are ventilated. When using your generator outdoors during a power outage, avoid placing it near windows, doors and vents. More generator safety tips: pse.com/en/pages/generator-safety  
    • Never use a natural gas range for heating, or charcoal as an indoor heating or cooking source.
    • Additional carbon monoxide safety information: pse.com/en/pages/carbon-monoxide

  • Never charge your phone or other devices in a running vehicle with the garage door closed.

  • Make sure that natural gas appliances are maintained and operated according to manufacturer recommendations.

Call before you dig

Dial 811 for free utility pipeline location

When you dig on your property for any reason, it's important to have the locations of underground utilities verified and clearly marked. Striking a natural gas or electric line may result in service disruptions, bodily harm, fines and/or repair costs.

Dial 811 at least two full business days (not including the day you call) before you plan to dig, no matter the size of your project. It's not only smart, it's the law.

If you prefer to submit a utility location request online, visit the Dig Safe WA.

How it works

Before you call 811, you should outline your dig area with white spray paint.

When you call, an operator will record information about your dig and notify affected utility companies, including PSE. We will dispatch a technician to mark the location of our electric and gas lines with paint and/or flags.

The law says you must call, even if you are a homeowner.

PSE locates and marks its own lines for free, but privately owned utility lines must be located by a separate vendor, typically for a fee. To better understand which utility pipelines belong to you, visit this interactive guide. You’ll find a list of private utility locating companies here.

When you dig

Mark the dig area with white paint or stakes so the locator knows where to search for utlities. Once the utilities have been marked, don't move the colored flags or alter the painted marks until construction is finished. Use only hand tools when digging within two feet of the marked lines. Support exposed gas pipelines with secure nylon straps, wood shoring, and ropes so they don't break. Use sand or rock-free dirt as backfill. Never build decks or other structures over pipelines or meters. Doing so runs a safety risk and prevents us from servicing the equipment.

For easy identification, underground utilities are marked using the following color code:

Color Utility Type
Red Electric
Orange Telephone/CATV
Yellow Gas/Oil
Green Sewer
Blue Water
Purple Reclaimed water (not potable)
Pink Survey
White Proposed Excavation
Know what's below. Call before you dig.

Pipeline marker facts

Pipeline markers are used to indicate the presence of high-profile natural gas pipelines and are typically situated along highways and intersections between major roads and railways. These markers display the name and emergency contact information of the pipeline operator.

Pipeline markers and warning signs only indicate the presence of a pipeline and should not be used to determine its exact location.

 

Help for professional excavators

PSE’s team of damage prevention representatives is available to help professional excavators dig safely. They can assist with locate issues, dig law questions, and training. See this map for the name and phone number of the representative in your area.

Pipeline markers