Power and phone outages

Liona Tannesen, The Olympian

THURSTON COUNTY -- After the shaking stopped, the phones started ringing in darkened homes.

But not all of those calls to check on family and friends made it through.

"Basically, the only situation we had today was, understandably, a huge number of calls flooding the network," Qwest spokesman Michael Dunne said. "We experienced almost 600 percent increase in call volume today."

Dunne said people should try to stay off the phone today as well unless they have an emergency.

The network -- which is designed for an earthquake area -- worked well, Dunne said.

But the electrical system wasn't so lucky.

Many people were left sitting at desks and homes in the dark.

More than 200,000 Puget Sound Energy customers -- mostly in Thurston, King and Pierce counties -- lost power, PSE spokesman Grant Ringel said.

About 400 remained without power in Thurston County at 5:30 p.m., and PSE expected most of those to have their power back on by Wednesday night.

"Thurston County was one of the biggest hit," Ringel said.

Liona Tannesen writes for The Olympian. She can be reached at 754-5427.

The Olympian Copyright 2000

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