West Seattle Weather Watch update: Blustery holiday

11:04 AM: Wind’s kicked up in a big way this past half-hour or so, at least here in Upper Fauntleroy, which is particularly worrisome on a holiday – will the power go out while the turkey/ham/whatever is baking, etc. – but so far, no special weather advisories, just a forecast that says “breezy, 15-25 mph.” At 11 am, though, the Weather Service recorded a 43 mph gust at Alki Point. We’ll update if the forecast/state of advisory-less-ness changes.

11:39 AM UPDATE: Outages now – mostly Shorewood/White Center/North Burien, with a bit of South Park affected, according to the City Light map. We also have some Comcast trouble reported.

NOON UPDATE: And NOW the Weather Service has issued an advisory – till 3 pm, gusts up to 50 mph (read it here). Also just added a bit of video, maybe most of interest if you are reading this from out of town – the wind tousling (to put it mildly) the tree across the street from us.

12:40 PM UPDATE: Things have been a lot quieter for the past 20-plus minutes, though the storm has headed northward (past West Seattle) and left thousands of people without power there too (currently more than 11,000 around City Light’s service area). There’s word of a tree down on 16th north of South Seattle Community College – so you may have to detour in that area for a while.

1:47 PM: Metro sent word that Route 125 is routed off 16th SW between Dawson and Myrtle, apparently because of the aforementioned tree.

2:41 PM: There’s one outage listed in West Seattle now, 13 homes/businesses in the 55th/56th/Alki Avenue area. That’s one of more than 40 around City Light’s service area, with almost 17,000 homes/businesses still out of power. In Lincoln Park, tree branches are down – thanks to Anne for the photo.

3:15 PM: The wind advisory has expired; the forecast for tonight and beyond is quieter (then again, today’s wind wasn’t originally in the forecast, so we won’t get complacent!). Meantime, the tree on 16th isn’t cleared yet, Cecilia says in the comment section:

Just went to check out where the downed tree on 16th is. The road is blocked at the curve where 16th turns into Dawson. I talked to the officer stationed there and he said there is a live power line down at 17th and Dawson but the intersection is free at 18th and Dawson for detours and no ETA on when it will be cleared.

36 Replies to "West Seattle Weather Watch update: Blustery holiday"

  • smokeycretin9 December 25, 2011 (11:12 am)

    Power is flickering pretty good up here at 21 ave sw and Roxbury.

  • onceachef December 25, 2011 (11:13 am)

    If you have a propane grill it will work just like an oven…in case you need it! Or, you could also use charcoal but might be hard in the wind. Merry Christmas!

  • FabulousEm December 25, 2011 (11:15 am)

    Windy in Westwood. Lights are on, but cable just went out.

  • Lou Magor December 25, 2011 (11:16 am)

    “advisory-less-ness” – Nice.

    • WSB December 25, 2011 (11:21 am)

      I am really and truly surprised – I have seen NWS issue advisories for, well, less. The two evergreens across the street almost blew sideways a couple minutes ago. On the other hand, who knows how they’re staffed on a holiday …

  • Worked there December 25, 2011 (11:30 am)

    Cable out at 47th and othello, guess we will be cailou free this day.

  • Ranch December 25, 2011 (11:33 am)

    We are in Issaquah and it’s VERY windy. Neighbor friend called to say power out, then back on. It looks like power could go out any moment.

  • Corey December 25, 2011 (11:34 am)

    It’s got to be 50 mph plus up here on Genesee hill.

  • bsmomma December 25, 2011 (11:34 am)

    Our lights keep flickering in North Admiral. The next door neighbors tree is bending like crazy!!

  • MMB December 25, 2011 (11:47 am)

    Well, we were getting worried about the prolonged period of calm, dry weather and frankly hoping for a break. Usually have had a chance by this time to get ALL the leaves out of the gutters, but there were still a lot of hangers-on left in the trees. Here’s hoping that it doesn’t get any worse than this today, and that the mountains get caught up on snowfall!

  • Machel Spence December 25, 2011 (11:55 am)

    Yup…super windy our way. Lights flickering…cable is out. Guess I won’t be wandering to Lincoln Park as planned to search for fungi, don’t want to get smacked in the head with a flying branch! m-

  • que December 25, 2011 (11:56 am)

    As a Christmas/Hannukah act of faith, I am boldly placing my brisket in the oven, that needs to cook for 5 hours… Hopefully there will be a miracle of lights and we will continue to have power all day so it can cook. ;-)

  • Diane December 25, 2011 (11:57 am)

    top of hill, midway between Admiral & Alaska
    ~
    comcast cable tv was out earlier; came back on ~11:30am
    ~
    windy, but no flickering; power fine

  • Tim December 25, 2011 (12:12 pm)

    cable out. Still have power though. At Fauntleroy and 35th here.

  • smokeycretin9 December 25, 2011 (12:18 pm)

    Silver lining = It’s snowing in the mountains and I have Monday off!

  • lucky December 25, 2011 (12:21 pm)

    I’m in Everett and power keeps flickering. Husband mad cause the cable is out on certain channels……no basketball!

  • Gale Mc December 25, 2011 (12:23 pm)

    Super windy here in Southeast Renton, up on Puget Drive Hill in Rolling Hills, branches every where, TV cable out.

  • Steph December 25, 2011 (12:23 pm)

    Some crazy wind hit our neighborhood. Our neighbor’s trampoline blew out of their backyard, over our backyard, and into neighbor on the other side’s backyard. Some damage to fence during the flight. No idea what shape the trampoline is in. Crazy.

  • Robby December 25, 2011 (12:25 pm)

    Comcast on and off around gatewood

  • Lisa Y December 25, 2011 (12:46 pm)

    Lost our cable and phone via Comcast 2 hours ago. Wind is howling and the trees are swaying pretty good here in Arbor Heights.

  • scout 1 December 25, 2011 (12:54 pm)

    Awesome down by the beach, with the waves crashing against the shore!

  • Johnston December 25, 2011 (1:02 pm)

    Calming down considerably in Arbor Heights/Shorewood. Saw some gusts in the 20mph range. Barometer went up .15″ in about an hour! Still got power and cable! Phew! Going to take a nice hot shower and then start the twice baked potatoes! Roast goes in later…

    Have a great holiday, neighbors!

    ~John

  • Mark December 25, 2011 (1:05 pm)

    Coast guard with lights flashing is searching in the water just off Colman pool. Circling about 50-200 ft off shore.

  • Mark December 25, 2011 (1:09 pm)

    CG vessel is now searching bay between Colman Pool and Lowman Beach.

  • M December 25, 2011 (1:17 pm)

    Cable out in Alki Area, but Merry Christmas anyway!!!!

  • Anz December 25, 2011 (1:35 pm)

    Victory Heights neighborhood in Seattle, very windy, lost power 1.5 hours now and waiting. Fortunate our son lives 1 mile from us and have power, turkey in oven for now. Remember what is more important is spending quality time with your family.
    Time goes buy to fast. Miss you mom 1935-2000

  • S December 25, 2011 (2:37 pm)

    Well I hope the wind is still blowing down at Alki and the Sea Wall… I LOVE to watch the waves crash!! One my way down now. Hope everyone’s power stays on so you can enjoy your Festive feast with family and your friends! Happy ALL the Holidays celebrated this time of year to all!!!

  • Cecelia December 25, 2011 (3:16 pm)

    Just went to check out where the downed tree on 16th is. The road is blocked at the curve where 16th turns into Dawson. I talked to the officer stationed there and he said there is a live power line down at 17th and Dawson but the intersection is free at 18th and Dawson for detours and no ETA on when it will be cleared.

    • WSB December 25, 2011 (3:25 pm)

      Thank you, Cecelia. We’re kind of housebound at the moment, barring a major giant breaking story, so we really appreciate the firsthand report – TR

  • santa December 25, 2011 (3:32 pm)

    Hey well theres a tree and power pole w/ lines down on 152nd in burien so its gonna be awhile before the power is back on for the seahurst park are. but i’d like to wish everyone a safe and merry christmas :))

  • munchkin22 December 25, 2011 (4:26 pm)

    Just got back from Nickelsville. Couple of community shelters upside down, tarps on residents’ tents way out of sorts

  • Cecelia December 25, 2011 (5:41 pm)

    16th Ave and Dawson now open.

  • DF December 25, 2011 (6:17 pm)

    Just so some of you folks know out there while walking in Lincoln Park after these type of wind storms or any other public walk way it’s perfectly ok and actually nice to park users and staff to move downed limbs away from paths and areas of activity where a person could get injured. Shame on you SOBs that simply ignore them and keep on walking. Happy Holidays!

  • Kjb December 26, 2011 (6:15 am)

    we had a VERY crazy ferry ride to Vashon during the wind storm!

  • miws December 26, 2011 (6:40 pm)

    Somebody upthread suggested using propane or charcoal grills for cooking during a power outage. They also mentioned the wind might blow them out, so obviously they were suggesting the grills be used outside.

    .

    However, just a reminder to never use propane, or charcoal indoors for cooking and/or heat, not even with windows open, or in an attached garage.

    .

    Both fuels emit toxic Carbon Monoxide when burned, and we love you and don’t want you to wake up dead.

    .

    Mike

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