Plan a Standby Generator Before Washington's Storms Hit
Snohomish – November 02, 2026 -- Washington homeowners who want a standby generator for winter outages should start planning now, because sizing, permitting, and inspection take time, according to local contractor Machias Power and Plumbing.
Storm season has already caused outages in Washington
Last winter brought historic flooding and widespread outages across the Pacific Northwest, and Washington received a federal disaster declaration in April. This season began early: high winds in late September left tens of thousands of Washington utility customers without power.
A dead sump pump or well pump creates plumbing problems
Owner Aaron Pullen says plumbing trouble often begins when the power fails. A sump pump can't keep a basement dry without electricity, and a well pump can't deliver water. In his words, a generator "has to be planned before the storm, not during it."