We are aware of a power outage affecting more than 27,000 customers. Our teams are investigating and working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. For outage information, please go to mytpu.org/outagemap

See power lines hanging low today? It’s likely the snow. Wet, heavy snow can weigh down power lines and make them appear lower than usual. Power lines are designed to handle this type of weather, and some sagging is expected during heavy snow events. We appreciate customers letting us know. If you see lines that look unusually low, damaged or in contact with trees or other objects please give us a call at 253-502-8602 and provide a location so we can check it out. Our crews might need more valuable information from you, so please answer your phone if we call you back. The number will start with 253-502. Our crews will respond to outages and monitor conditions across our service area as the winter weather conditions continue.

Today, we're honoring the achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr. His fight to make our nation more equitable inspires our commitment to the most pressing needs of our community. Our lobby and Customer Services phone lines will be closed today, Monday, January 19. Emergency lines remain open. TPU will return to regular business hours on Tuesday, January 20.

Are you paying extra attention while driving through work zones this winter? Around this time each year, our crews work in dark and stormy conditions, making it harder for drivers to see them. When you arrive at a work zone, please move over if you can, slow down if you can't, pay attention, and be kind. It's the law. Let's all do our part to keep our workers safe!

The best way to launch a long-term career at Tacoma Water starts here. We’re building an eligible list to fill Water Utility Worker vacancies as they occur throughout the year. These skilled workers help install, maintain, and repair one of the nation’s oldest municipally owned water systems. This is an apprenticeship position, allowing you to build in-demand skills, earn while you learn, and help serve our community. For more information and to apply, visit bit.ly/42lTWJd. Applications are due by 1/21.

Don’t forget! Thursday night is our Women in Trades Event, where guests will hear female leaders from the @CityofTacoma discuss trade careers, the hiring process, salaries and benefits, and first-hand accounts of what it's like to be a female journey-level employee. While the event highlights opportunities for women in the trades, everyone is welcome to attend and participate! More info at: bit.ly/3LxXYbe

Your career with Tacoma Power starts now! We’re accepting applications for our 2026 apprenticeship programs in three electrical career pathways PLUS our electrical trainee program. If you’re ready to build in-demand skills, earn while you learn, and help power our community, explore all opportunities here: bit.ly/3DMveqO

Working night and day, is a team at Tacoma Rail that partners with multiple entities to move nearly 5,000 vehicles weekly through the Port of Tacoma. It’s complex and nonstop work that supports the economic strength of our region and keeps the global supply chains on track. youtube.com/shorts/l_dOTo-Sy…

Are you interested in a career in the trades? Join us in person or virtually for a free Women in Trades Event from 4:30-7:15 p.m. on Jan. 15. Attendees will learn about trade careers from women who work across the @CityofTacoma, including Power, Water, Rail, Public Works, Environmental Services, and Police. They will discuss the hiring process, salaries and benefits, and first-hand accounts of what it's like to be a female journey-level employee. While the event highlights opportunities for women in the trades, everyone is welcome to attend and participate! bit.ly/3LxXYbe

As our staff wrap up another year keeping the lights on, water flowing, and freight moving, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what makes this season bright: the community we serve. We wish you happiness and optimism for the year ahead. Our lobby and Customer Services phone lines will be closed today, Thursday, January 1, for New Year's Day. Emergency lines remain open. TPU will return to regular business hours on Friday, January 2.

This month we’re sharing about the shaggy mane mushroom (Coprinus comatus). This mushroom is common in many places throughout the world, including this cluster we discovered in the Upper Green River Watershed. The fruiting body (mushroom) of this fungus goes through a rapid transformation after poking out of the soil. It starts as a hoagie-shaped cap covering the stem, white with a shaggy exterior, then morphs to reveal part of the stem, and finally changes to a cymbal-shaped flat cap much darker in color. It then melts into a black liquid filled with spores, which is the fungi's means of reproduction. This is why shaggy mane is also referred to as "shaggy ink cap." This mushroom is edible but decomposes very quickly after being picked. It closely resembles a different inky mushroom that is poisonous. Never eat mushrooms unless you are completely certain of their identity!

As powerful atmospheric rivers moved into the Pacific Northwest, we partnered with the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) to launch weather balloons that support critical water research. McMillin Reservoir in South Hill has been an official CW3E launch station for several years. These balloons collect real-time data on temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind as they travel east with the storm, passing directly over the Cascades. The data gathered by CW3E from the McMillin site is a component of Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, a project to better inform decisions to retain or release water. This information helps us to more accurately forecast our water supply conditions and ensure there is enough water for our community. You can watch live CW3E weather balloon launches here: bit.ly/4qs1Mtx

As a weather system moves north toward Western Washington on Christmas Eve, winds are forecasted to increase across our area. While there’s still uncertainty about how strong those winds may be, the @NWSSeattle has issued a High Wind Watch, from the morning through the evening on Wednesday, Dec. 24, with afternoon wind speeds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts of 50 to 60 mph. Our crews are preparing now and will be ready to respond if outages occur. They will work around the clock, and through the holiday, as quickly and safely as possible, to restore power. For outage resources and details, visit MyTPU.org/OutageMap. As a reminder, our Customer Services phone lines and lobby will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. Emergency phone lines remain open and the outage map is available. We will return to regular business hours on Friday, Dec. 26. We appreciate your patience and support. Stay safe, everyone!