A powerful storm swept through Western Washington overnight, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that toppled trees, downed power lines, and left more than 130,000 customers without electricity as of Tuesday morning.
The storm, which peaked Monday night, unleashed wind gusts of up to 70 mph in some areas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The highest recorded gust was in Hoquiam, reaching 70 mph, while Boeing Field saw gusts of 60 mph. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recorded a 52 mph gust—just shy of the February record of 53 mph set in 2008.
Widespread Power Outages
Utility companies across the region reported significant outages, leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the dark. Puget Sound Energy had the highest number of reported outages, with more than 112,000 customers affected. Seattle City Light reported over 18,000 outages, and Peninsula Light Company said more than 8,000 customers in Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula were without power.
A breakdown of outages as of 9:45 a.m. Tuesday included:
- Seattle City Light: 18,332 customers
- Puget Sound Energy: 112,062 customers
- Snohomish PUD: 6,756 customers
- Tacoma Public Utilities: 1,199 customers
- Peninsula Light Company: 8,100 customers
Officials warned that restoration efforts could take time as crews work to clear debris and repair damaged power lines.
Downed Trees and Road Closures
Numerous reports of fallen trees and power lines disrupted travel across Western Washington. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) issued a traffic alert, listing several locations blocked by downed trees, including:
- NW 84th St & 1st Ave NW
- SW Orchard St & Dumar Way SW
- 47th Ave SW between SW Alaska St & SW Oregon St
- 2nd Ave W between W McGraw St & W Boston St
- 31st Ave SW & SW Myrtle St
In Seattle, a tree fell onto a vehicle near Aurora Avenue North and Whitman Place North, trapping three people inside. Seattle Fire Department crews responded quickly, using chainsaws to remove the tree and free the occupants. All three individuals were in stable condition, officials said.
School Delays and Closures
The storm’s impact extended to schools, with several districts delaying the start of classes due to power outages and hazardous conditions.
- Highline and Northshore school districts: Two-hour delay
- Vashon Island School District: 1.5-hour delay
- McAuliffe and Smith elementaries (Lake Washington School District): Two-hour delay
- Edmonds College: Closed due to power outages
Strongest Winds Expected to Subside
The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning through 10 a.m. Tuesday for Aberdeen, La Push, Queets, Bremerton, Seattle, and Tacoma. Winds are expected to gradually decrease throughout the day, though additional power outages and falling trees remain a concern.
Peak wind gusts recorded overnight included:
- Aberdeen: 70 mph
- Astoria: 68 mph
- Destruction Island: 67 mph
- Seattle and Olympia: 52 mph
Residents are urged to stay cautious of fallen power lines and debris, avoid unnecessary travel, and check with local utilities for outage updates.
This storm is a stark reminder of the Pacific Northwest’s winter weather volatility. Crews continue working to restore power and clear roadways as communities recover from the storm’s impact.
Stay safe, Seattle!
