The National Weather Service is predicting a series of strong Pacific storm systems to move through King County, saying on Wednesday that an “impressively stormy period is coming up for western Washington from Thursday through the weekend.”
The systems have the potential to bring damaging winds and heavy rainfall, which may cause localized flooding, power outages and downed trees.
-Friday morning-
Sustained winds were predicted to hit 30 mph in King County, with gusts of 50 mph or more, from Thursday night through Friday morning. A High Wind Warning was in effect until 7 a.m. Friday. Since many trees still have their leaves, the winds could have brought down tree branches.
-Through Friday evening-
King County Emergency Management said the county could see about 2 inches of rain in lowland areas. Because river and reservoir water levels are still low this time of year, there is little to no threat of flooding in the County.
According to the National Weather Service, “Friday will be rainy and windy… but it will serve as a relative lull before a more potentially damaging storm on Saturday.”
-Saturday, Sunday-
King County Emergency Management is telling residents to expect a stronger storm system to hit over the weekend, bringing with it more rain and wind and a greater likelihood of power outages.
“An incredibly deep low-pressure center, with its origins traced back to Typhoon Songda in the western Pacific, will move into the northeast Pacific and peak in strength on Saturday,” the National Weather Service said Wednesday. “What remains to be seen is exactly what track the low center will take. This will make a huge difference in how badly this storm impacts western Washington. There is a 1-in-3 chance of the low center directly crossing some part of western Washington. This would be a worst-case scenario leading to a historical windstorm for nearly all of western Washington that would be long remembered.
“There is a 2-in-3 chance that the low center will pass hundreds of miles off the coast, making landfall over central or northern Vancouver Island instead. This outcome [would] confine the most damaging winds to the coast and to the north interior (areas north of Everett), but inland locations such as the Puget Sound region and The I-5 corridor of southwest Washington would experience the type of windstorm that would normally be expected a few times each storm season. Power outages and tree damage over inland locations would be less widespread.
“The Saturday system has the highest potential for damage, but it also has the greatest range of possible outcomes.”
The Greater Federal Way Emergency Management Program, which includes the city of Federal Way, Federal Way Public Schools, the Lakehaven Utility District, Saint Francis Hospital and South King Fire and Rescue, encourages the community to prepare for this potential storm. Below are some of their suggested preparedness actions:
• Fill up vehicle fuel tank(s).
• Withdraw several days’ worth of cash.
• Check flashlights and batteries.
• Check the batteries of your radio.
• Charge the batteries of electronic communication devices, such as iPads, cell phones, etc.
• Check supplies of shelf-stable food and water enough for several days.
• Locate extra blankets.
• Find some board games or entertainment items.
• Check on your neighbors; suggest they prepare as well.
• Only call 911 in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
In the event power is lost, said Emergency Management Program officials, do not use the oven to heat your home and do not use a generator in the garage or indoors near a window to power your home. Check the batteries of your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors – carbon monoxide is produced due to combustion engine use and is a serious threat to keep in mind.
Local updates can be tracked through www.kcemergency.com and from @kcnews on Twitter. Additional storm preparedness tips are available at takewinterbystorm.org.
