EVERETT — The first windstorm of the season bore down on the region Thursday evening as forecasters warned that an even more destructive system could blow through over the weekend.
A high wind warning was in effect around Puget Sound until 7 a.m. Friday.
Meteorologists were confident that another storm would strike even harder on Saturday.
They urged caution and preparation, as falling trees and branches were likely to cause power outages.
“People really need to be tuned into the weather and tuned into preparations in case we wind up with a worst-case scenario,” said meteorologist Allen Cam with the National Weather Service in Seattle.
Drenching rains over the next few days could cause some flooding along the Stillaguamish River and an increased danger of landslides, especially Sunday.
Another inch of rain was expected Friday on top of the inch or so that fell on the area a day earlier. Even more rain has been falling in the mountains.
Damage is often greater during the first storm of the season, when weaker trees and limbs have yet to be tested by the elements, and more leaves weigh down branches.
“People should protect themselves when they’re out and about,” Cam said. “These winds can knock down trees and tree limbs and those occasionally can cause fatalities.”
Snohomish County’s emergency management officials cautioned people to avoid downed power lines and to keep flashlights nearby. They recommended old-fashioned flashlights, to avoid using up cellphone batteries that might be needed in an emergency.
Also, they warned people to avoid using barbecues or generators inside a home because of the safety risks.
Friday is expected to offer some respite before a potentially fiercer storm arrives Saturday with the remnants of Typhoon Songda.
School districts were preparing to let people know through websites, texts and email alerts about any scheduling changes for Friday classes or weekend activities. The Everett and Marysville school districts had scheduled non-student days Friday for reasons unrelated to the weather.
Winds on Thursday through Friday were expected to peak around midnight, with sustained speeds of up to 30 mph and gusts up to 55 mph, said Art Gaebel, a National Weather Service meteorologist. The latest forecasts showed the second storm bringing winds up to 35 mph starting late Saturday with gusts up to 65 mph.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter:@NWhaglund.
Who to call for storm problems
If you need to report a power outage, please call the Snohomish County PUD directly at 425-783-1001 or toll free at 1-877-783-1001, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you need to report a life-threatening situation or a hazard to public safety, such as a downed power line or a tree across the road, call 911. Only text 911 if you’re unable to call.
If you have a non-emergency problem to report, please use one of the numbers below:
For Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, and Woodway: 425-775-3000.
For the rest of Snohomish County: 425-407-3999.
When calling a non-emergency number, please keep the following tips in mind:
Know your location or the location of where the incident occurred.
Dispatchers are trained to ask questions to prioritize your incident. Keep answers brief and to the point.
Please help keep 911 lines open for emergencies by following these guidelines.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
