Power outages refer to temporary interruptions in the supply of electricity to a specific area or location. These outages can occur due to various reasons, including severe weather conditions (such as storms, hurricanes, or heavy snow), equipment failures, maintenance work, or accidents that damage electrical infrastructure. Power outages can affect homes, businesses, and public services, leading to the loss of lighting, heating or cooling, refrigeration, and electronic devices. They can vary in duration, from a few minutes to several hours or even days. During outages, safety concerns may arise, particularly in situations involving medical equipment or food spoilage. Emergency preparedness, such as having backup power sources and emergency kits, is advisable in areas prone to frequent outages.
A severe windstorm struck the Pacific Northwest, leaving over 60,000 homes without power in Oregon and over 8,000 in southwest Washington. The storm caused extensive damage, with trees downed and…