Tacoma Businesses and UW Campus Plunge Into Darkness After Fatal Crash, Community Rallies with Block Party Amid Outage Woes

Following a fatal crash that occurred on July 6, a swath of Tacoma businesses along Pacific Avenue and the University of Washington-Tacoma campus have been left in the dark, a situation that could persist for weeks. As reported by KOMO News, the crash near S 21st Street and Pacific Avenue severed the campus's electrical lifeblood, resulting in a total power outage and subsequent shutdown of nearby businesses. Efforts to resurrect the electrical system are underway, but there remains a great deal of uncertainty around the timeline for power restoration.

The university's operations have ground to a halt and will remain so until at least July 20, with summer classes shifting to remote instruction in a bid to withstand this period of forced darkness. The impact of the outage extends beyond the university; it has forced local merchants to confront an unwelcome pause in their livelihoods, according to KING 5. 

Last Thursday, several establishments hosted a block party, as a means to rally community support and generate some revenue during these challenging times. Liz Van Dyke of Stocklist Goods & Gifts highlighted the community-centric intention behind the gathering, saying, "The whole idea behind the block party was to pull the community together, being able to see people and have them visit. It’s helpful to have some income after being closed for six days," as reported by KING 5.

The businesses affected by this outage are bracing themselves for a prolonged struggle, with the looming prospect of a weeks-long wait before the return of power. The community's show of support at the block party serves as a beacon during this time, yet the financial toll of the blackout continues to mount. The presumed weeks ahead without electricity will no doubt test the resilience of these businesses, all of which are preparing for a marathon of uncertainty and adaptation in the shadow of an unanticipated disaster.