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Valley Com dispatched Renton Regional Fire Authority to downed power line at 10:36 PM
Power was out for 1200 customers in downtown Renton last night due to a fallen power line. The line also sparked a small landscape fire on South Grady Way. Renton Regional Fire Authority was dispatched at 10:36 PM, and by about 1:00 AM power was restored to most affected customers. Fortunately I have not heard of any injuries.
Downed power lines are obviously extremely dangerous, and can electrocute people in close proximity even through dry ground. Eight years ago PSE released an informative video showing how to protect yourself if you ever find yourself stalled in a car near a fallen powerline. The video recommends staying in your car until officials come if you can. It also shows if you must exit (if the car is on fire for example) a special jump is the only way you can get out without assistance. The video further illustrates how you should then shuffle your feet instead of taking normal foot steps to avoid getting electrocuted by differential ground voltages as you make your way to safety. Bystanders need to stay away, to a recommended safe distance of at least 35 feet (and I’m sure even further in wet conditions). I’ve included this valuable video below, and recommend everyone watch it.
Image of line down on South Grady Way near new Home Depot. The line can be seen sparking and smoking where it is touching the pavement and landscape. This is a screenshot from a video posted by Luis Ortega to the Renton Crime and Safety Page.
Customers impacted by last night’s power outage
Wow! I only knew the part about staying in your car if it has downed power lines on it.It’s good to know there is a way to get out if the car catches on fire.
That video is very interesting, I was aware that IF you had to get out of your car you would have to jump clear, was not aware you needed to get some feet away from your car before taking an actual step could also affect your future. Yes staying in your car is best but this video is definitely informative is you need to get out of your car.
This video taught me a lot too. Like you Dave, I knew you would need to jump, but didn’t realize how perilous the earth could be around the power line. The foot shuffling makes sense to me, but I would not have known that without this video.
Good info! I’d forgotten about that video, thank you for sharing it.