Late October through November is typically when the Columbia Basin sees its first strong wind events of the season, and Benton PUD doesn't mince words about what that means for customers. "The Tri-Cities is notorious for strong winds that may cause the power to go out," the utility says on its storm preparation page.
This week's forecast is calmer — highs in the 50s, patchy fog, rain showers expected Saturday. But the seasonal pattern is coming, and Benton PUD confirmed earlier this month that arcing from one of its power lines sparked the Second Street Fire near Benton City, a reminder that downed or damaged lines aren't just an inconvenience. They can be dangerous.
Here's what to do before the wind picks up, and what to do if the lights go out.
Who to call when the power goes out
Benton PUD customers can call (888) 582-2176 to report an outage or an electrical hazard. That's the same number that reaches the utility's line crews around the clock, according to Benton PUD's outage center. The utility says its average restoration time is about two hours, though a widespread wind event could take longer.
Franklin PUD, which serves Pasco-area customers, has a different process. During business hours, email outage@franklinpud.com or call 509-542-5300 or 800-638-7701. After hours, call 509-933-7200, which routes to Kittcom dispatch, according to NBC Right Now.
None of these numbers are 911. Save that for a genuine emergency, like a fire or someone hurt by a live wire.
Stay away from downed lines
Benton PUD's safety guidance is blunt: stay at least 50 feet back from any downed, low-hanging or exposed power line, and assume every line is live until a crew says otherwise. If you're in a car that ends up touching a downed line, the utility says not to run. Instead, shuffle away with your feet together and close to the ground, so you don't create a path for electricity to pass through you.
This is the same kind of hazard that touched off the Second Street Fire near Benton City this month. A downed or arcing line in dry grass or near a structure can ignite fast, which is one more reason to report hazards immediately rather than trying to move a line yourself.
Before the wind hits: a basic checklist
Benton PUD's storm-prep page lays out a short list that applies to any Tri-Cities household:
- Keep flashlights on hand and know where they are in the dark.
- Have a phone that doesn't rely on house power, or keep a charged battery bank.
- Know how to manually release your garage door opener if you need to get a car out during an outage.
- Leave the refrigerator and freezer closed during an outage. Benton PUD says contents should stay safe for at least 24 hours as long as the doors stay shut.
NBC Right Now also reported that during a past high-wind advisory, officials urged residents to secure loose outdoor items, including trash cans, basketball hoops and large planters, so they don't blow into power lines and cause outages or damage. A quick walk around the yard before a windy night is worth doing, especially if your trash or recycling cart sits out at the curb.
Generators: the rule most people don't know
If you're thinking about running a portable generator during an outage, Benton PUD has one requirement that trips people up: it has to be connected through an approved transfer switch that's isolated from the utility's system. "If you use a portable generator it must be connected through an approved transfer switch that is isolated from Benton PUD's system," the utility states on its storm-prep page.
Without that isolation, a generator can backfeed electricity onto the lines outside your house, the same lines utility crews may believe are dead while they're working to restore power. That's a serious hazard to the workers trying to get your lights back on. Benton PUD recommends calling the utility directly with any generator questions before you plug one in.
The utility also repeats a few basics that are easy to forget in the moment: never run a generator, barbecue, oven or portable heater indoors, and turn off anything with a heating element, like electric ranges, irons or toaster ovens, during an outage. Those appliances can start a fire or overload the system the instant power comes back on.
Frequently asked questions
Do I call Benton PUD or 911 if I see a downed power line? Call Benton PUD at (888) 582-2176 to report the hazard. Call 911 only if someone is injured or there's an active fire. Stay at least 50 feet back either way.
How long will my power be out? Benton PUD says its average restoration time is about two hours, but that's an average, not a guarantee. A widespread wind event can take longer to clear.
Can I just run my generator through an extension cord into the house? Benton PUD says no. A generator needs to run through an approved transfer switch isolated from the utility's system, both for your home's electrical safety and to protect line crews from backfed power. Call the utility with questions before you set one up.
I'm a Pasco-area customer. Who do I call? Most Pasco-area outages go through Franklin PUD: 509-542-5300 or 800-638-7701 during business hours, or 509-933-7200 after hours, which routes through Kittcom dispatch.
If you lose heat along with power this winter and you're weighing a wood stove as backup, make sure the chimney's been checked first. Our recent guide covers what to look for before you light one up.
