West Seattle weather: Thousands lose power in Saturday night windstorm
(NO POWER? BE SURE CITY LIGHT KNOWS: 206-684-7400, OUTAGE HOTLINE)
(One of several photos @Naurthon tweeted showing tree blocking part of Delridge near Home Depot)
7:55 PM: Minutes before the National Weather Service‘s “high wind warning” for our area was originally to officially take effect, the wind is already gusting big time, at least where we are, and lights have flickered numerous times. We’re already seeing the first West Seattle power outage – about 120 people along Beach Drive. We’ll be covering this throughout the night – please let us know of any problems where you are – editor@westseattleblog.com, text or voice at 206-293-6302.
8:10 PM: Tree reported to have fallen on a house in the 5600 block of SW Admiral Way – no one hurt. We’re en route. (Update: Couldn’t find it.) Also, a power outage is reported in Gatewood, but not on the map yet – the map grab above still just shows the one on Beach Drive, which is blamed on a tree (not sure where that one is).
8:30 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s commented/messaged with information on other spot outages – from Bonair to Puget Ridge to Highland Park. Remember that if you have to be out driving and happen onto a non-working signal – that’s a 4-way stop intersection. (added) Annie sends this photo of a tree down on 24th between Barton and Cambridge:
8:44 PM: Just heard a scanner report of a tree down on Delridge at 21st SW, blocking southbound lanes. And we have this photo via Twitter:
Jeff tweets that a tree is down on Roxbury at 34th. Thanks again to everyone sharing info and photos.
9 PM: 55 outages are now reported around the city, affecting more than 22,000 homes and businesses. Several are now mapped in West Seattle – see here for the latest. If you lose/find a pet during the storm – or any other time – remember that for six years, WSB has had the only West Seattle-specific lost/found pets page – westseattleblog.com/pets; just added a dog found tonight. Meantime, in comments, flynlo has noted 48 mph gusts on Gatewood Hill.
(Added: SFD at wires-down site on SW Ida – WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
9:20 PM: Now, add outages in Arbor Heights – we saw the 35th/Roxbury signal go out as that happened – and Morgan Junction; Arroyos, too, per comments. The tree down on Roxbury, meantime, is at 32nd – we’ll have a photo shortly (update: tree photo courtesy Dustin Smith).
If you have to go out, slow down – our photographer said people were coming up on the tree way too fast for safety. Meantime, every gust seems to take more people out – some now out in Fauntleroy. Also, trees down in two spots in Highland Park, Andrea e-mails: “One heading down Highland Park (Way) just after Holden and the other on 9th right side northbound.”
9:45 PM: Power outage finally hit us in Upper Fauntleroy. We’re continuing to report with backup power and Internet. Wind still strong. Re: Roxbury tree, Joe Szilagyi shows us via Instagram that the Roxbury tree is being towed. Meantime, you’re probably wondering how long the power will be out. Even the “guesstimates” you might see on the City Light map are not reliable (and SCL acknowledges that). 52,000 homes and businesses are now out citywide, according to the map. *Or it could be sooner rather than later – commenter Petertut says power’s BACK in the 5900 block of Beach Drive.
10:21 PM: Minutes after @naurthon tweeted that photo, he reported that the tree is clear and Delridge is open again in the SW Orchard vicinity. The weather *sounds* as if it’s calming a bit – we’re looking around to see if forecasters have any insight. This was only supposed to last until the early-morning hours, and we’re still counting on “all systems go” for the Harvest Festival in The Junction 10-2 tomorrow.
10:48 PM: Chet says a tree and wires are down on Fauntleroy Way north of Lincoln Park. Also a new report from Sharryn of a tree down by 35th/Roxbury. And Shane sent photos of two trees down along the street in the 2100 block of California SW.
We’re also adding the newest screengrab from the City Light map, showing the many outages on the peninsula – looks like more than 10,000 homes/businesses. Far more of the former than the latter – it appears The Junction has kept power, for example (“live” traffic cam image added, to prove it):
So if you need food/beverages, there’s one direction to head in.
(Added: Fauntleroy ferry dock – WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
11:15 PM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli has been roving to see what’s happening where. He reports, “Pitch black from Morgan Junction all the way down past Lincoln Park. Ferry dock is still without power and is waiting for generators to arrive. They somehow still have one terminal open and they’re able to check people in (right side ticket booth). Ferry traffic is very light.” SCL has done some restoring – the total citywide is now down to 50,000. Meantime, trees aren’t just out in roads – Dianne in Admiral e-mailed, “My neighbor’s tree fell in 3 or 4 spots, and they are on top of my house, and hanging next to it. My Willow tree is badly damaged and I think my Maple is down. I’ll know more tomorrow morning. Very frightening.” Then a bit later:
Likely going to be much to clean up – branches and leaves in the streets and on the sidewalks … in the morning.
1:26 AM: City Light is making progress – the outage map now shows 38,000 customers (homes/businesses) without power around its coverage area, down from a peak past 52,000. We’re still out in Upper Fauntleroy after almost four hours.
Adding several photos from Christopher Boffoli’s travels checking out storm damage, including the one above, a fence knocked down on 37th SW.
5:10 AM UPDATE: Many are back on. Not us, yet.
7:07 AM: Same as above. We will launch a new story shortly. Meantime, the Harvest Festival is ON – The Junction didn’t even lose power last night.
7:32 AM: That new story is here.
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