PORT LUDLOW — A regulator failure at the Port Ludlow substation left more than 2,000 people without power in and around Port Ludlow for much of Wednesday.
The regulator failed at roughly 8:30 a.m., leaving just over 2,700 people without power, according to Debbie Lund of the Jefferson County Public Utility District (PUD).
Crews responded to what was originally reported to be a small fire at the substation located on Beaver Valley Road, but it ended up just being an equipment failure, according to Lund.
When crews arrived, it was estimated that repairs could take all day and could leave customers without power for up to 24 hours.
Crews worked all day to restore power and were able to get power to around 630 customers by switching them to another substation while repairs continued.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 2,065 customers were still without power.
According to Lund, crews have replaced the regulator that had failed but at 4 p.m. were still checking the rest of the equipment at the Port Ludlow substation to ensure there wouldn’t be another failure.
“We hope to have everyone turned on by this evening,” Lund said just before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The PUD posted updates all day on its Twitter account.
Swansonville Road, Marina Drive, Olympic Place, Admiralty Lane and Hood Way were the few areas that were able to be switched to a different substation and get power.
The Beach Club in Port Ludlow had its power restored around 2 p.m. and offered to stay open until 9 p.m. as a warm place for those without power.
The Jefferson County Library also opened its doors to those affected, and the Chimacum School District opened its doors from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. or later for those seeking warmth.
Customers are encouraged to monitor Jefferson County PUD’s website at www.jeffpud.org or follow Jefferson PUD on Twitter for updates.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
