Snohomish PUD Adds Outage Tracker To Online Outage Map

When an outage occurs, Snohomish PUD customers often want to know how work is progressing to restore power. Now they can tell by simply visiting the PUD’s Outage Map.

In anticipation of storm season, the PUD has launched the Outage Tracker, a new feature on the Outage Map, to help customers stay informed on the utility’s power restoration efforts in specified areas. The Outage Tracker is the latest in a series of improvements to the Outage Map, which already includes outage cause, number of customers affected and an estimated time of restoration (ETR).

Customers can find the Outage Tracker in the Outage Details box that slides into view when a customer clicks on an outage, represented on the map by a color-coded box. Customers will then see where the outage is in the process of restoration. The Outage Tracker moves chronologically through fives steps: Outage reported; We’re investigating; Pending crew assignment; Crew assigned for repairs; and Power is restored.

Once an outage is reported, a green shaded bar will cover the “Outage Reported” portion of the tool and an “i” – indicating more information – will appear in a blue circle next to the step. Customers can click on the information button to learn more about what is happening at that time.

When PUD field staff has been dispatched to assess the outage’s cause, the tracker will shift down to “We’re investigating.” If field staff can make repairs and power is restored quickly, the tracker will move to “Power is restored” and the outage will be removed from the map.

If additional resources are needed and a line crew is required to make repairs, the Outage Tracker will show “Pending crew assignment,” then move to “Crew assigned for repairs” when a crew begins its trip to the site.

The PUD is leveraging technology to make sure the tracker tool is displaying the correct information. PUD crews utilize iPads in the field to update status and location, while internal staff are use outage systems and communications tools to monitor outages, schedule work and organize restoration efforts. To report an outage, call the PUD at 425-783-1001 or visit outagemap.snopud.com.