Originally posted 8:17 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8

Federal Way Public Schools has canceled the first day of school today (Sept. 8) due to widespread power outages across the city of Federal Way.

Fierce winds have swept the state and the Puget Sound region since Sunday, leaving dozens of neighbors in Federal Way without power.

The outages are “impacting thousands of our scholars, families, staff and schools to access internet,” said FWPS Chief of Communications Kassie Swenson in a Tuesday morning email to families.

“Without power in our neighborhoods for our scholars, families, staff and schools to access internet, they will be disconnected from remote learning,” Swenson said.

As a result of the power loss, FWPS canceled school Tuesday, Sept. 8, and all buildings will also be closed. Pacific Christian Academy in Federal Way is also closed for Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Puget Sound Energy power outage map shows several neighbors in Federal Way without power and at this time, there is no estimated time of repair.

Statewide there are a reported 244 outages and more than 80,000 people customers impacted as of 8 a.m. Tuesday on the PSE website. South King Fire and Rescue crews have responded to 144 calls in the last 24 hours, with 104 calls having been in the last 12 hours, the department tweeted at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 8.

Update 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8:

Federal Way Public Schools announced the first day of school will be held Wednesday, Sept. 9.

“The weather has significantly improved, and power has been restored at our schools that lost power today,” the district said in an email to families. “Puget Sound Energy continues to restore power in areas of the community and the weather forecast shows improving conditions, including decreased wind.”

Activities that were planned for the first day of school will occur tomorrow (Sept. 9).

Parents and guardians of K-12 students are encouraged to attend their student’s Sept. 9 orientation(s) to learn how to support their student’s academics while navigating online learning and how to best support each individual’s social emotional well-being.

The orientation schedule will continue Thursday, Sept. 10.

More information about a make-up day for today’s (Sept. 8) missed school day is not yet available.

In addition to academics, the first day of “grab and go” meals for students is also Wednesday, Sept. 9. Federal Way pick-up locations and more information is available at FWPS.org/schoolmeals.

For a detailed orientation schedule, visit FWPS.org.