WEST SEATTLE STORM WATCH: Newest alerts for both storms; city leaders’ update

(UPDATED 9:16 PM with change in first storm’s timing – scroll down)

4:58 PM: Here’s the newest update from the National Weather Service about what’s headed this way late tonight:

The High Wind Warning for tonight remains scheduled for 6 pm-7 am, though the wind isn’t due until hours after the warning kicks in.

The National Weather Service also has added a High Wind Watch (which is one level below a “warning” but that’s because it’s further away time-wise) for noon Saturday to 3 am Sunday.

The major change in the forecast so far is that tonight’s wind could continue longer into Friday morning than first thought. Again, we’ll be on duty all night and into the morning with weather coverage. If there’s trouble where you are, once you’re safe and know it’s been reported to authorities, please let us know – text or voice, 206-293-6302 is the best way.

Speaking of phone numbers, save these:

CITY LIGHT, REPORT AN OUTAGE: 206-684-3000

SDOT, REPORT AN EMERGENCY ROAD HAZARD: 206-386-1218

ADDED 6:21 PM: Mayor Murray called a news conference late today that was billed as an update on city preps for the storm but spent more time on the encampment legislation. It just wrapped up; we monitored it via live stream and will have a separate story on what’s new with that issue, but in the meantime, one point made by the mayor: Once the wind picks up, stay out of city parks, because of tree danger. Most parks are technically closed during the hours the wind is supposed to be at its worst anyway. Also, Parks Superintendent Jesús Aguirre mentioned that grass playfields citywide are closed because of the rain. The mayor says the city is planning to open its Emergency Operations Center early tomorrow to coordinate whatever storm response is needed, and that SPD and SFD already have extra personnel called in and on standby, in addition to the utility crews you’d expect.

ADDED 9:16 PM: The storm has slowed its approach, we’re told. And this from the NWS:

As model data streams in, it appears Puget Sound could see 2 bursts of high wind on Fri: early AM & again in afternoon. Stay tuned. #wawx

— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) October 14, 2016

Jon October 13, 2016 (5:02 pm)

Keep away from large trees as best as you can, everyone. Stay safe tonight.

iggy October 13, 2016 (7:12 pm)

Not sure whether to laugh or cry at the Mayor’s statement to stay out of parks during the storm. These same parks that the City Council wants homeless to live in this winter!!! I can see SNL or Colbert having a field day with our dysfunctional city.

Community Member October 13, 2016 (7:56 pm)

@Iggy – please provide a link to a major US city whose homeless plan you think we should copy or adapt for Seattle.

chemist October 13, 2016 (8:18 pm)

Wow, with the rainfall I’m very disappointed in the paint that the city put down on California in the Alaska junction and north for striping. I’d swear there’s no special “reflective beads” in it at all and I was just guessing at lanes between there and the Admiral junction.