Snohomish County, WA– Severe weather swept through western Washington on Wednesday, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms that caused widespread power outages, school delays, and traffic chaos. The storm downed power lines and trees, disrupting daily life across the region.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a wind advisory for the Admiralty Inlet area, forecasting south winds of 20-30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. By mid-morning, winds shifted to a westerly direction at speeds of 15-30 mph. The weather service also warned of potential river flooding in Snohomish County due to the heavy rainfall, although the risk of flooding elsewhere in northwest Washington had diminished.
Peak Wind Gusts and Power Outages
The storm brought some of the strongest winds in recent memory to several areas:
- Hoquiam Airport: 79 mph
- Alpental Ski Area: 83 mph
- Snoqualmie Pass: 63 mph
- Crystal Mountain: 90 mph
- Tacoma: 60 mph
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As of 8:10 a.m., approximately 80,000 customers were without power, with outages distributed as follows:
- Puget Sound Energy: 57,613
- Seattle City Light: 1,971
- Snohomish PUD: 1,812
- Tacoma Public Utilities: 13,763
- Peninsula Light Company: 7,000
Utility crews worked throughout the morning to restore power, but the widespread damage caused delays in recovery efforts.
School and Traffic Disruptions
The storm forced nearly two dozen school districts to delay start times, while two schools in the Snohomish School District were closed due to power outages.
Road conditions were also treacherous. Standing water was reported on highways throughout the Puget Sound area, and fallen trees caused additional hazards. Shortly before 7 a.m., strong winds contributed to a semi-truck crash on westbound Interstate 90 near Snoqualmie, creating significant traffic delays.
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The weather caused a lot of chaos-
- Downed trees on highways near Tacoma
- Crashes on State Route 410 in Bonney Lake
- Accidents on Interstate 405 in Newcastle
- An overturned car and downed trees on southbound I-5 in Snohomish County
Additionally, a crash on northbound I-5 in downtown Seattle caused a four-mile backup, further snarling the morning commute.
Rain and Flooding Concerns
The heavy rainfall, fueled by an atmospheric river, brought 2-4 inches of rain across the Cascades of Snohomish County and areas to the north within 24 hours. This increased the threat of river flooding in parts of Snohomish County, although the NWS noted a decreased risk in other parts of northwest Washington.
While the storm continued to bring breezy conditions through Wednesday afternoon, the weather began to stabilize by lunchtime. Forecasters predicted only a stray shower in the afternoon, with calmer conditions expected by evening and into Thursday.
Despite the improving outlook, the storm’s impact serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature. Residents are urged to stay cautious around downed trees and power lines, avoid flooded roads, and prepare for potential future storms.
