Wartime Blackouts: From Drills to Reality

As tensions between the United States and Japan escalated in the early 1940s, fears of an attack on the West Coast loomed large. Japan’s aggressive expansion into China and Southeast Asia prompted the U.S. to implement countermeasures that Japan viewed as provocations. As relations soured, coastal cities prepared for the unthinkable by practicing nighttime blackouts designed to protect major population centers in the event of an enemy air raid.

By March 1941, cities like Seattle had adopted citywide blackout rules, and by October, states like Washington and Oregon followed suit with statewide policies. These blackouts were drills aimed at making cities invisible to potential attackers, particularly at night.

The rules were strict: all lights had to be turned off by 11 PM, and households were required to install blackout curtains. Tens of thousands of volunteers—men, women, and even children—ensured compliance. The goal was to create a complete blanket of darkness to obscure cities from enemy planes. By late 1941, West Coast cities were ready for an air raid, although everyone hoped these precautions would never be necessary.

The devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, turned theoretical fears into a harsh reality. The idea that Japan might continue its offensive across the Pacific and strike the U.S. mainland became a haunting possibility.

On December 8, just a day after Pearl Harbor, Seattle experienced a chaotic blackout incident. Despite the 11 PM blackout mandate, a downtown clothing store’s lit signage attracted over 1,000 residents. Armed with rocks, the crowd shattered light bulbs to extinguish the glow. Their fervor spilled over to other businesses, where lights were still visible. The impromptu mob even paused to sing “God Bless America” before resuming their campaign to enforce darkness.

Following the Seattle incident, civil defense authorities implemented stricter regulations. Public gatherings of more than five people were banned during blackouts, and alcohol sales were temporarily restricted. Despite the heightened anxiety, this riot was the only major disruption of its kind in the Northwest.

Elsewhere along the coast, the blackouts proceeded with fewer disturbances. A false alarm on December 10 in Longview, Washington, briefly raised tensions, but overall, the West Coast remained calm, and the blackouts provided a sense of preparedness and security for residents.

The true test of these blackout measures came on June 21, 1942, when a Japanese submarine, I-25, surfaced near Fort Stevens, Oregon. The submarine fired upon the area, causing only minor damage. Once the blackout was enforced, however, the submarine was left with no visible targets. For 15 minutes, it blindly fired shells before retreating. This incident demonstrated the practical value of blackouts in minimizing damage during a potential attack.

The wartime blackouts along the West Coast stand as a testament to the resilience and determination of American communities during a time of great uncertainty. They served not only as a defensive measure but also as a unifying effort that brought citizens together in a shared commitment to safety and survival.

From the chaos in Seattle to the tense encounter at Fort Stevens, these moments underscore the importance of preparedness in the face of unknown threats. The blackouts may have started as drills, but they became a vital part of the nation’s defense strategy, ensuring that the American home front was never left completely vulnerable.