STORM COVERAGE: Windy in West Seattle; power-outage updates; downed trees; 35th SW closure

(PLEASE SCROLL DOWN for updates – most recent one, 5:53 pm)

11:34 AM: The wind has arrived – as the National Weather Service warned it would – and the first outages are on Seattle City Light‘s map: Both small, both blamed on trees, one on Seola Beach Drive in southwesternmost West Seattle, one in Westwood near 34th/Cloverdale. We’ll be tracking the storm here throughout the afternoon – if there’s tree, power, road, etc. trouble where you are, please let us know (after you’ve alerted the authorities) – thanks!

12:27 PM: As Taz just pointed out in comments, there’s a new outage by Constellation Park, south of Alki Point. Since the wind’s out of the south/southwest, that’s the side of the West Seattle waterfront feeling it the most – we’re further down Beach Drive by Emma Schmitz right now – see the short phone-video clip above.

12:43 PM: The Alki Point-area outage is now up to 138 customers, according to the SCL map, which has added a new West Seattle outage, in North Delridge.

12:51 PM: Along with a tree that’s been leaning against wires and a fence just north of West Seattle Stadium over the NB lanes of 35th SW for a while (added above: photo of that tree, sent by Chuck Jacobs – thanks!), we now have a report that a tree’s down on Highland Park Way.

(Photos from Sarahjean – [updated] Sylvan Way branch cleared by her husband, first photo, and bus riders, 2nd photo)
1:12 PM: According to MetPatrick via Twitter, the HP Way tree/branch is cleared out of the roadway. While we’re in a sunbreak, it won’t likely last – dark clouds heading up from the south/southwest and rain is still in the forecast.

1:36 PM: New updates in comments (thank you!) – a tree blocking Marine View Drive at California. By the way, in case you wondered, waves vs. shore action is not too bad because low tide was at 11 am and high tide – fairly high, 11.7 feet, since the moon’s full – isn’t until about quarter till 6 this evening. (added) Be careful wherever you walk/ride/drive – lots of tree branches and twigs down too – WSB’s Christopher Boffoli sent this from 35th SW by Our Lady of Guadalupe:

2:19 PM: The tree over NB 35th SW north of West Seattle Stadium, mentioned earlier, now has police blocking the outside NB lane and yellow tape closing the sidewalk from the south side of the stadium entrance:

Crews are stretched around the city, so it might be a while before this can be addressed, and it will be tricky because it’s on the other side of the fence along 35th. Elsewhere – looks like this tree did some damage to a vehicle – the texter described the location as North Delridge, near Pearls:

Newest outage on the map is near 28th/Holden, as of of less than 10 minutes ago, another small one, at least as gauged so far.

2:43 PM: The Alki Point outage has been upped to 190 customers, with restoration guesstimate around 7 pm (remember, those are really just guesses, but it’s what you’ll see on the SCL outage map); commenters have mentioned an outage east of Fairmount Park but that one doesn’t seem to be on the map. Look here for what IS showing; call 206-684-3000 if you’re out and not sure the utility knows already.

Above, a photo texted to us from 25th/Cloverdale – note the vehicle under the tree. The wind warning remains in effect until 6 pm.

3:21 PM: Drove the length of Marine View Drive, now all clear (aside from twigs, needles, stems here and there, like just about every road we’ve traveled today).

3:32 PM: Via e-mail, Chas says 35th is now closed at the scene of the tree mentioned earlier – we’ll head back out to check in a moment. West Seattle still has five outages on the map, the biggest one, the 190 customers out south of Alki Point.

And, via text, another tree-branch-on-vehicle, this time 24th/Holden:

If you’re wondering what happened to the predicted rain – showers remain in the forecast throughout the day, then potentially heavier rain tonight.

4:55 PM: 35th is indeed blocked off by police – though Metro’s getting through – between Alaska and Avalon, until the unsafe-tree situation is handled. We’ll be checking back. The wind, meantime, has calmed, even here in the southwest-exposed area where we are. For some, the afternoon’s weather was pure fun:

Thanks to Gary Jones for the photo from Alki Point.

5:09 PM: Kristin reports another dangling-tree-against-wire-over-road situation, this one over the west side of Sylvan between High Point and Delridge. She has reported to authorities. And Guy sent us this photo of one at 39th and Manning:

Do be sure to report these – start with City Light at 206-684-3000 – their crews are still slammed all around the city right now so you might not see anyone for a while, but it doesn’t mean you’re not on the list. Speaking of City Light, the map shows a new, small outage, this time in Seaview, near 45th and Findlay. That means seven pocket outages around WS.

5:53 PM: Thanks to Thom for the photo of crews working by Bar-S Field, in/by the Alki Point outage zone:

Meantime, the rain’s back, with the second intense cloudburst right now in less than half an hour.

6:58 PM: Checked while out a few minutes ago, and 35th remains blocked between Alaska and Avalon. One more traffic note – Dave warns that it’s slippery on the ramp from the bridge to NB 99.

7:25 PM: The SCL map shows the South Alki outage fixed – please let us know in comments if that’s not the case.

8:32 PM: In case you didn’t see this in comments – the “boat taking on water/minor” call that briefly brought a sizable SFD response to Beach Drive involved a boat with no one on board, according to a neighbor who says it belongs to someone who lives in the area and adds that SFD pumped some water out of it before departing. Now, a view from early this morning, before the wind kicked up – Ken Pendergrass made this serene time-lapse video from his Duwamish Head balcony:

Ken says the recording covers a time span from around 7 am to 10 am.

11:52 PM: We’ve launched a NEW story to cover the big new outage that just happened in Highland Park and beyond – go here.

60 Replies to "STORM COVERAGE: Windy in West Seattle; power-outage updates; downed trees; 35th SW closure"

  • Jenny August 29, 2015 (11:55 am)

    There’s a tree in the process of falling down over 35th, just south of Avalon. It’s hanging over the road and is hung up on a fence and the power lines. Looks like it could fall onto the northbound lanes of 35th at any minute.

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (12:01 pm)

      We checked that out earlier; I’m off for another look. Hope you called it in to 911?

  • Taz August 29, 2015 (12:24 pm)

    Power just went out by Constellation Park just off 63rd.

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (12:26 pm)

      Thanks. I’m not far – was just checking out wind/waves at Emma Schmitz.

  • Thom August 29, 2015 (12:29 pm)

    Alki Point just lost power by the lighthouse.

  • E Hawes August 29, 2015 (12:33 pm)

    Power out here on 38th, north of Fairmount Playfield

  • TMO August 29, 2015 (1:01 pm)

    Woodland Park Zoo just closed due to the wind.

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (1:14 pm)

      Thanks for the updates on wind-related closures, too. On FB, Michele at WS Thriftway (WSB sponsor) said they had to call off their benefit barbecue because of the wind – rain, they can handle, but the wind was too much for safety.

  • Seattleeditor August 29, 2015 (1:05 pm)

    Crazy construction of workers on roof of condo building across from 4028 California with huge pieces of lumber just balance ed across the corners of the roof right over sidewalk and cars. Called city office but they are closed of course. Called non emergency police but doubt they will do anything. Very dangerous. Took pictures in case if accident. Tried to talk to foreman but he blew me off.

  • Helen August 29, 2015 (1:07 pm)

    1:06pm ….power out on 10th NW in lower Broadview

  • Karerr August 29, 2015 (1:24 pm)

    Tree blocking Marine View Drive at Califirnia Avenue.

  • Keith August 29, 2015 (1:26 pm)

    Tree down. Completely blocking Marine View at Caliornia.

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (1:34 pm)

      Thanks for the Marine View tree updates! Adding.

  • smokeycretin9 August 29, 2015 (1:44 pm)

    power has been flickering at 21st and Roxbury

  • Matt August 29, 2015 (2:01 pm)

    They better get it up before the Seahawk game!

  • Kp August 29, 2015 (2:14 pm)

    Tree down, hanging on a line with SUV underneath at intersection of 8400 block of 25 th ave SW / cloverdale.
    Not sure if power is out but it has been called into SCL.

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (2:38 pm)

      Thanks, Kp – that must be the 25th/Cloverdale tree with a pic texted to us, which I was about to add. Craig – Oddly, that one doesn’t seem to be on the SCL map. Maybe in their system it’s connected to one of the others. JAF – I’m not seeing anything on the SFD log or elsewhere – TR

  • Craig August 29, 2015 (2:21 pm)

    Power out here on 37th just above Fairmont Park

  • JAF August 29, 2015 (2:22 pm)

    I know it’s not really west Seattle but what’s happening on Airport way? In SoDo? Not Georgetown- so many emergency vehicles

  • Rsm August 29, 2015 (2:47 pm)

    Marriott Residence Inn Union Lake no power

  • Jissy August 29, 2015 (3:31 pm)

    JAF, good question…. Saw them there around noon even.

  • GR August 29, 2015 (4:04 pm)

    Does anyone have an update from SnoPUD on when power might be restored to Bothell?

  • Kathleen August 29, 2015 (4:20 pm)

    Was at a birthday party near 64th and Hinds (Alki/Beach Drive) that had power out and downed power line (we called it in) only to come home to our house in North Delridge where our heavy glass patio table had flipped and shattered.

  • K'lo August 29, 2015 (4:42 pm)

    35th closed both directions – from Avalon to Alaska. Seems like Metro is getting thru, not Water Taxi shuttle.

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (4:55 pm)

      Thanks. I just came back from there and am updating – somehow I got through, turning north onto 35th from Alaska, and a bus, but no other traffic.

  • Sborboa August 29, 2015 (5:15 pm)

    Any updates on when power will be back up in the general Alki?

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (5:27 pm)

      Sbor – They changed the guesstimate to 5:43 pm but the estimates on the map are ALWAYS guesses. They also updated the cause to “tree.” Everywhere I went this afternoon, I didn’t see a City Light truck – but the North End is far worse off than WS this time around (look at the outage map we’ve linked) so I can understand why.

  • AlkiBeach August 29, 2015 (5:27 pm)

    I find this as much laughable as I do insulting. We need more Midwest transplants out here. WSB staff and readers; PLEASE…PLEASE…truly ask yourselves if reporting/reading “news” reports of the wind blowing, snow falling, thunder and lightning happening is how you want to engage (or turn off) one or both sides of your brain. NEWS FLASH…That’s not NEWS! They call that W E A T H E R…

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (5:41 pm)

      Yes, AB, sorry, non-routine weather IS news. Has been and always will be. People want to know what’s going on when the weather affects them – cuts power, blocks roads, smashes the roof of the truck, blows them around when they go outside. Yeah, it’s relative – if you’re from somewhere that gets worse weather, you will certainly laugh at this. Laugh away, but we’ll continue covering weather. It’s the main reason we’re doing this in the first place, dating back to the December 2006 windstorm, when the people who were supposed to be covering local news here were ignoring it, and people started asking us – running this as a personal project at the time, not covering news – if we had any idea what was going on. I was on vacation from my local corporate-owned-media job at the time; we set out to find out what was happening, and it all snowballed, or windstormed, from there. Apologies if this is boring or laughable in your opinion; come back early tomorrow (or don’t, if you think we’re doing a poor job) and we’ll be back to everything else – Tracy

  • beach walker August 29, 2015 (5:42 pm)

    Alki beach was hosting a volleyball tournament today. I don’t know if it was completed during the wind storm.
    One good thing about the wind is the improvement in air quality.

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (5:47 pm)

      Beach Walker, that was in our calendar. We have a few photos of play, and they did appear to be continuing, despite the wind and (earlier) rain. The finals are scheduled for tomorrow; before writing a story tonight, we’ll be checking to see if the schedule was changed at all.
      .
      Tap – If you are in an outage that’s not on the map, PLEASE be sure you’ve called them at the number we’ve mentioned a couple times to be sure it’s on their radar. The map is *not* automatically generated – SCL is working on “smart meter” technology but most reports still come in via people calling. Meantime, re: the Alki outage, a reader has just sent photos of crews working around Bar-S Playfield, so it appears that’s where the problem is/was – TR

  • Tap August 29, 2015 (5:43 pm)

    City Light’s online Outage Map is flawed. There are several West Seattle Outages not reflected on the map. I hope City Light doesn’t use that map for dispatching crews.

  • SC August 29, 2015 (5:54 pm)

    Tracy – Great response to AB. If someone doesn’t understand that giving people important information about weather-related events that can help keep them safe is news they are missing the point. It’s not only news it’s one of the highest and most important purposes of the news. Thanks for helping to keep us all safe.

  • AA August 29, 2015 (6:17 pm)

    AlkiBeach – If you think a storm that has killed 2 people and left 375,000 without power isn’t news I suggest you go back to wherever you came from.

  • Northwest August 29, 2015 (6:29 pm)

    Thanks WSB for the news coverage of the unusual weather events today produced. I have lived in West Seattle all my life and this is definitely news worthy please keep up the community collaborative coverage! Here comes the heavy rain now in Junction neighborhood.

  • Community Member August 29, 2015 (6:34 pm)

    If someone thinks that weather stories aren’t interesting, why on earth are they reading the weather story?
    .
    Maybe they want to demand their money back. Oh, wait…
    .
    I find it inherently interesting to read about the wind damage and power outages, and yes, I know it is called weather. So?

  • Steve August 29, 2015 (6:50 pm)

    Sesttle city light totally unprepared!!!
    Seattle knew it was coming and as of 5:30 they have less than 20% back online!
    Shame on Seattle city light!
    Let’s see if by 8 PM FREMONT Ballard back online as told!
    7 hours it would take!
    Admit it you were out to lunch on this one!!

  • Patti August 29, 2015 (7:19 pm)

    Why the symphony of sirens around 7 pm.? And GOOD JOB on the weather coverage. From a retired journalism teacher.

  • Kevin j August 29, 2015 (7:22 pm)

    To Steve, you must have no idea how electricity works or how dangerous it is in these conditions. Everything is conductive and they work everything live. And I don’t see you out there helping

  • WSB August 29, 2015 (7:29 pm)

    Patti – thanks. But looks like I missed the boat on a “boat taking on water” call down on Beach Drive – pretty sure I know what that refers to, a reader who lives there sent a photo, from a distance, of a boat that didn’t seem to have anyone on board but seemed to be falling low in the water. The call’s still open (which could mean as little as one SFD vehicle there) … heading that way. TR

  • Marlene August 29, 2015 (7:51 pm)

    Alki Beach — The WS blog covers ALL news concerning our ‘hood, including the weather. BTW, all the Seattle news websites are featuring the storm as their top story. Steve — I’m not a big fan of our utility companies in general, but Seattle City Light is usually quite responsive. PSE — not so much!

  • Aye your August 29, 2015 (7:53 pm)

    AB – if you don’t think weather is newsworthy – check out wsdot’s mobile app at 3:30pm. Tell me how you would have gone from Thrashers Corner in Bothell to WS? Every road was closed – how on earth is this not newsworthy?

  • LLC August 29, 2015 (7:53 pm)

    Trucks are gone but the fire dept. boat is still out there….it’s been there for quite a long time.

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (8:05 pm)

      Our tipster tells us there’s nobody in trouble – the boat belongs to someone who lives nearby and there wasn’t anyone on board.

  • WSince86 August 29, 2015 (8:59 pm)

    Thanks Kevin J! It’s true. My husband has been on call all day just to coordinate service, if necessary, to the trucks that are out there in this weather. The crews can only work when it is safe to do so. City Light is anything but ‘unprepared’. There is no way to predict where the outages will occur. They have to go where and when they happen, and again, they can only work when it’s safe.

  • (Name) August 29, 2015 (9:49 pm)

    35th is still closed near Avalon — is it still that tree?

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (10:02 pm)

      Yes, nothing else has happened there. It’s hard to tell from any of the photos we had but it’s really a difficult situation and I can’t imagine they’d want to even try to tackle it until it’s light out.

  • Westgirl August 29, 2015 (11:19 pm)

    Thank you WSB for keeping doing such a great job! I always come here first to see updates regarding any type of news for West Seattle.
    Plus, excellent response back to the VERY rude Alki Beach post. They must not know what a great community we have over here.

  • Westside August 29, 2015 (11:20 pm)

    i live on 36th across from the YMCA. Tons of cars and Metro buses are diverting down this relatively narrow street. Which is fine, but people—slow the heck down! You can drive 20 instead of 35 for three blocks!

  • Kimmy August 29, 2015 (11:32 pm)

    11:30 pm and 35th is still closed at Avalon. Stay safe y’all and hope NCW gets some nice rain, 6 new spot fires seen around Mt. Cashmere and Chiwawa earlier.

    • WSB August 29, 2015 (11:45 pm)

      We’re starting new coverage – there’s a new power outage in Highland Park vicinity – not sure of extent yet. Stand by for link!

  • Cathy August 29, 2015 (11:47 pm)

    The power lines at Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden just blew up. No power on SW Austin just East from 11th SW

  • Chrissouth August 29, 2015 (11:53 pm)

    Power completely out in neighborhood near Riverview Playfields. Called City Light, no estimate on completion time.

  • ChefJoe August 29, 2015 (11:53 pm)

    Steve, my power just “bliped” and it’s probably city light workers fixing a 2-customer outage a few blocks away. I’m impressed with the crews for heading out and being around live power wires in the dark, raining, gusty weather we have.

    I also was born and raised in an area where tree trimming crews did complete hatchet jobs to make sure a tree wouldn’t grow into contact with a wire for probably a decade after it was trimmed. City light works quite a bit more during these storms because they accept the PNW love of tree canopy.

  • Annie August 29, 2015 (11:56 pm)

    No power at 8th Ave SW and Thistle.

  • Rhonda Porter August 30, 2015 (8:23 am)

    We called the Coast Guard earlier when we noticed the boat off Beach Drive was listing. The CG said since people were not obviously on board, it was a low priority.

    I was surprised to see SPD going out – although I’m sure the boat owner was happy to have it pumped out.

    It looked like the boat is a “double hull” and unlikely it would sink…however, I’m sure it wasn’t good for the outboard to be emerged as long as it was.

  • anonyme August 30, 2015 (9:00 am)

    I’m from Detroit, where extreme weather is pretty commonplace. However, that doesn’t mean that there are never any unusual weather events, or that weather is neither reported nor discussed. Occasionally there are storms that cover every surface of the city in ice, making any form of transportation impossible. You can bet that gets reported, even if ice is normally not a big deal…

    While it may be true that natives tend to panic over a few snowflakes, this was not one of those occurrences. Thanks WSB for keeping us so well informed.

  • Concerned citizen August 30, 2015 (12:45 pm)

    i read that the 911 system was so overwhelmed with calls from people reporting that the power was out, trees down, and and other weather related non emergencies that people having true emergencies couldn’t get through. It got so bad that SPD tweeted for people to stop calling except for life threatening emergencies. Reading this blog shows a lot of the same nonsense. Get a grip people it’s rain and wind.

Sorry, comment time is over.