Power crews make steady progress

A storm that blew into Washington overnight was more typical December weather and not a repeat of last week's damaging wind storm.

[Bill Macdonald]

Here in the Pacific Northwest we occasionally experience extreme weather conditions, strong winds, heavy rain, severe temperatures, earthquakes, etc. and each of these events present their own set of unique challenges. A shared consequence of almost all of these devastating occurrences is the loss of electrical power. In every instance, loss of electricity compounds the immediate problem and frustrates all recovery efforts. Lives are put at risk, resources diminish and rescue operations are frustrated for lack of electrical power. Essential services and businesses shut down or are disrupted, traffic is in chaos, and workers cannot get to the job. In some situations, looting and other crimes rage rampant. The impact of these disruptions on society is enormous. Moreover, it happens time after time after time. The lesson is not learned.
This supposedly technologically advanced country, the United States of America, must be the only western nation that does not bury electrical power cables underground. Power companies would have us believe that a tangle of wires up on wooden poles is the most cost effective way to go. Maybe it is for them, so long as the American people get stuck with the bill.

[Highlander]

Billy Mac,

There are many newer developments where the electrical power is indeed underground.

It simply takes time.

Give'em a break, they really are trying hard to fix things.