Power Outage Hits Washington Area After Utility Pole Arc

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A widespread power outage was reported in the Washington, Utah area on Saturday afternoon after residents heard a loud electrical 'arc' or boom coming from a utility pole near the Washington Wastewater facility. The initial call came in around 4:37 p.m., and throughout the afternoon, numerous additional outages were reported across the area, affecting businesses, homes, and the local water department's wells.

Why it matters

Power outages can have significant impacts on communities, disrupting businesses, public services, and daily life. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining and securing critical electrical infrastructure to prevent such widespread disruptions.

The details

According to dispatch logs, the initial call reported a utility pole sparking near the Washington Wastewater facility. Over the course of the afternoon, outages were reported across multiple neighborhoods and along several major roads, including West Old U.S. 50, State Road 57, North 75 East, East 200 North, and Cindy Kay Drive. Several businesses, including retail stores and restaurants, also lost power, and the Washington Water Department reported that its wells were temporarily out of service. Utility crews were notified and responded to the scene, and power was restored shortly after 10:30 p.m.

• The initial call came in around 4:37 p.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2026.
• Power was restored shortly after 10:30 p.m. on the same day.