WEST SEATTLE STORM WATCH: 2 hurt by tree branch; power outages; other afternoon updates

(SCROLL DOWN for newest updates and photos)

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(Screengrab from City Light outage map’s West Seattle section, 1:59 pm)

1:43 PM: Just getting word of the first significant power outages in West Seattle so far this blustery day – west of The Junction, North Admiral, and the City Light map also shows two other outages – 117 customers near Lincoln Park and 72 customers in Highland Park. (If your outage is NOT on the map, please call SCL at 206-684-3000!)

UPDATED, 1:53 PM: Now the SCL map has updated. We’re adding a screengrab. “Tree” is the listed cause. More than 4,000 customers are out in West Seattle. Also, Seattle Fire is at 44th and Rose in Gatewood, where a tree fell into a transformer/power line – thanks for the texted photo:

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(back to original report) All this follows hours of off-and-on gusty winds – we caught some on video a little while ago:

Other notes:

FORECAST: We’re still under a Wind Advisory until 6 tonight, and a High Wind Watch is up for noon Saturday through 3 am Sunday. Next forecast update is expected within a few hours.

TIDE REMINDER, IF YOU MISSED IT: Busy news day so you might not have seen this, but high tides are coinciding with the strong wind because of tomorrow’s full moon.

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(Texted photo added above – Beach Drive this afternoon. Thanks to Craig Joseph for sharing it!) Speaking of which …

NEED SANDBAGS? The Delridge Community Center is out of them but expecting more later today. If you need them urgently, try the South Park Community Center.

2:22 PM: A commenter says Delridge has sandbags now. Meantime, a father and 4-year-old son are being taken to the hospital after being hit by a falling tree branch near Fauntleroy Church (which abuts forested Fauntleroy Park). We got to the scene just as the child was about to be transported to Harborview; his father is still being evaluated.

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Too soon for information on the circumstances – we will update when we find out more.

3:13 PM: SFD describes the child’s injuries as serious, the father’s injuries as minor.

(added Friday evening) Fauntleroy Church minister Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski sent this statement:

I was very sad today to learn about the father and son struck by a tree near Fauntleroy Church. As concerned community members, we will be working with the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department to better understand the incident, but our primary concern right now is for the family involved in this accident. They are YMCA patrons and neighbors, and our hearts go out to them.

As I was away from the church today, I also wish to say a big “thank you” to the church and Y staff and community members who quickly responded to offer help and care until emergency personnel could arrive.

(back to previous coverage) Meantime, regarding the power outage – we’re getting multiple reports that traffic signals are out in The Junction, though the outage is only affecting the west side of the street. We’re headed that way for an update.

3:46 PM: Thanks for the updates. About a third of those who were out now have their power back, Admiral/North according to the map. We’re still working our way to The Junction. Meantime, a falling branch seems to have played a role in a crash on eastbound Olson, blocking the turn to southbound Myers.

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No injuries as far as we can tell – SFD was not called for medical assistance.

4:11 PM: We just stopped by The Junction. California/Alaska signal is indeed out. And businesses on the west side of the street are still without power, many with handwritten “closed/power out” signs.

Further north, a big problem hasn’t been fixed yet at Hinds/47th – this power-pole problem:

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Thanks to everyone who sent photos earlier. This is near Madison Middle School, which has a fire-alarm call right now – don’t know if it’s related. We can hear the alarm from where we’re checking out the power pole situation.

ADDED 4:47 PM: If you’re just getting ready to leave for home .. it’s partly sunny over here, still breezy.

5:07 PM: Regarding the sirens and emergency vehicles – it’s for a possible rescue which we’re covering separately.

Also, tomorrow’s weather alert is now up to High Wind Warning status, 3 pm Saturday-2 am Sunday. We’ll get a separate evening weather story going after our coverage of the potential rescue.

83 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE STORM WATCH: 2 hurt by tree branch; power outages; other afternoon updates"

  • Naomi Hyland October 14, 2016 (1:46 pm)

    Power just went down on 45th behind Lafayette.

  • Here October 14, 2016 (1:46 pm)

    Power is out in Fairmount Park.

  • VVT October 14, 2016 (1:46 pm)

    Power is out in Admiral – 49th between Hinds & Hanford. 

  • anon October 14, 2016 (1:48 pm)

    Is there anyway to see if your house specifically is effected? Hard to tell the area on the map.

  • Texas girl October 14, 2016 (1:48 pm)

    Power out at 42nd and Hudson- reported it to Seattle city light.

  • Admiral October 14, 2016 (1:48 pm)

    Power just went out at 46th & Charlestown

  • Greg October 14, 2016 (1:49 pm)

    Power out on Charlestown/47th

  • R October 14, 2016 (1:50 pm)

    Just lost power in north admiral

  • Naomi Hyland October 14, 2016 (1:50 pm)

    Out at 45th and Admiral.

    • WSB October 14, 2016 (1:52 pm)

      The City Light map doesn’t seem to be keeping up – at the moment – with the new outages, so if you don’t see yours appear there, please call 206-684-3000. For the person who wanted to know how to tell if their house is involved, just keep clicking the plus sign on the SCL map to zoom in. It gets all the way to house-to-house level and is usually accurate IF your outage has registered there so far.

      UPDATE – as I was typing that, the map updated. More than 4,000 customers out. We’ll add a screengrab of the map.

  • momof3boys October 14, 2016 (1:51 pm)

    wires down 46/sw Hinds

     

  • Sgs October 14, 2016 (1:52 pm)

    Out at 46th and Alaska

  • Robert Hull October 14, 2016 (1:55 pm)

    48th and Alaska no power. Est restoration 4:45pm

    • WSB October 14, 2016 (1:57 pm)

      Please remember,the “estimate” is generally fairly useless. Could be much later, could be much sooner. Overnight, the Highline power outage estimated at 8 am rest. was back on by 4. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. And don’t open your refrigerator/freezer … everything will last longer that way.

  • Wsu2470 October 14, 2016 (2:06 pm)

    Sandbags now at Delridge Community Center. 

    • WSB October 14, 2016 (2:19 pm)

      Thanks for the update. We might not get back there soon as we have had to divert for some other stuff.

  • Lisa October 14, 2016 (2:10 pm)

    I called city light to report our outage, we’re at 35th and Hudson, and the system was not working for that or for checking on the status of the outage. 

  • D October 14, 2016 (2:16 pm)

    Power out on California and Seattle st

  • sam-c October 14, 2016 (2:23 pm)

    Since Cliff Mass’ latest update compared the upcoming storm to the 2006 Chanukah Eve storm, I went back to the WSB archives from the storm to see what the effects were around here, and what the power outage timeline was like.  I like the writing WSB ‘voice’ back then and the somewhat more opinionated writing style.   :)

    thanks for keeping us updated all these years !!

  • Dewain Savage October 14, 2016 (2:23 pm)

    49th and Hinds

    • helihu October 14, 2016 (2:53 pm)

      Wow!! I wouldn’t be standing there. 

  • anon October 14, 2016 (2:25 pm)

    Thanks for the tip on finding my house. So far so good.

  • newnative October 14, 2016 (2:25 pm)

    I’m still at work downtown.  Anyone know if 42nd Ave SW between College and Admiral, in other words, the Bartell Drugs condo building has power?  I may have an ice cream emergency!  

  • CP October 14, 2016 (2:44 pm)

    Lets Eat All The Ice Cream!

    • newnative October 14, 2016 (3:20 pm)

      I mean, right?!  I might turn off all the lights and eat all the ice cream anyways.  Thanks.  

  • gina October 14, 2016 (2:46 pm)

    New Native–your building has power. I’m at the WS library for the wi-fi, the traffic lights are working at 42nd and Admiral and California and Admiral. Traffic lights are out at California and Lander and at 47th and Admiral.

    Safeway, Metropolitan Market, Atomic Boys, 7-11, Admiral Bird, all have power. 

  • stb October 14, 2016 (3:06 pm)

    Traffic lights out at the Junction. But it looked like the east side of California had power but the west side did not. 

    • ay October 14, 2016 (3:58 pm)

      Alaska/California Junction still no traffic lights. Called SW Precinct to report. They directed me to call 911, which I did, as they deem it appropriate for a 911 call. No sight of officers yet.

      Folks need to treat the intersection as a 4way stop.

      • WSB October 14, 2016 (4:03 pm)

        We just went through and yes, it’s out, and the businesses on the WEST side of California are out – east side has power. Police seldom have enough officers to go around in cases like this so I’d be surprised if they’re able to send someone. The first priority would be scenes like wires down, etc.

  • Emily October 14, 2016 (3:17 pm)

    Anyone know why a helicopter was hovering over Gatewood (near Thistle and California) for a few minutes just now? 

    • WSB October 14, 2016 (3:18 pm)

      According to our flight tracker, that was TV trying to find the scene of the tree branch injuries.

  • Sharon October 14, 2016 (3:19 pm)

    Power is back on 52nd & Pritchard.

  • Taz October 14, 2016 (3:21 pm)

     SCL website seems to be down.

    • WSB October 14, 2016 (3:24 pm)

      Just came up for me – try again.

  • newWesty October 14, 2016 (3:23 pm)

    Does anyone know if 42nd and Alaska has power?

  • Alki Resident October 14, 2016 (3:25 pm)

    Prayers for the little boy and his dad who were hit by a tree.

  • Colleen October 14, 2016 (3:26 pm)

    49th & Walker is back on.

  • mdeh October 14, 2016 (3:26 pm)

    SCL site here ok. Our comcast connection is down though.  Try LTE on your phone

  • Brian October 14, 2016 (3:30 pm)

    WSB- thank you for the very timely updates.  I go here first when wondering the status of the storm.  Local at its best.

    My hyperlocal update: 2 blocks west of Junction still out.

  • Lisa October 14, 2016 (3:31 pm)

    Power is out from Brandon to Edmunds on 42nd Ave SW.  Safeway shopping area is out, but Teriyaki restaurant below lights are on. 

  • KristenO October 14, 2016 (3:34 pm)

    Power back on in North Admiral. 

  • Tom S October 14, 2016 (3:36 pm)

    Back in North Admiral. …and we had such a spirited game of Monopoly going too!

  • mdeh October 14, 2016 (3:46 pm)

    Quick update. Admiral… north of California… Comcast up again

    • WSB October 14, 2016 (3:47 pm)

      Thanks. Looks like about a third of the 4,400+ West Seattleites who lost power have it back – to the north. Updating

  • Doug October 14, 2016 (4:13 pm)

    Power still out at 46th & Edmunds.

  • Sam-c October 14, 2016 (4:16 pm)

    OK, dumb question- what is the #WAWX hashtag ?

    I googled it, but didn’t see what the WX stands for (I think the WA is Washington, of course)

    seems like a lot of agencies are using it for the storm.  thanks

    • WSB October 14, 2016 (4:20 pm)

      WX is short for weather. We are not big fans of hashtags … so we don’t use them much. Except on Instagram, where you pretty much have to.

    • AMD October 14, 2016 (4:21 pm)

      WX is weather

  • Admiral October 14, 2016 (4:17 pm)

    Power still out at 46th /Charlestown

  • Craig October 14, 2016 (4:29 pm)

    I got the power….It’s gettin, it’s gettin, it’s gettin kinda hectic

  • Greg October 14, 2016 (4:31 pm)

    Angry seas down at Constellation Park

  • Tam October 14, 2016 (4:41 pm)

    Do the fine folk at Husky Deli need help eating ice cream????

    • WSB October 14, 2016 (4:46 pm)

      Good question, Tam! We would have asked them but the shop was closed and dark too …

  • Walker October 14, 2016 (4:50 pm)

    This happened to our poor neighbor in seaview 

  • Brenda October 14, 2016 (4:55 pm)

    A lot of fire trucks heading over the West Seattle Bridge into West Seattle right now

  • Christine M. Uberti October 14, 2016 (4:58 pm)

    Just heard a bunch of sirens flying buy.  I’m at California and Edmonds.  I don’t know the exact location of the vehicles.

  • Charlie A October 14, 2016 (5:20 pm)

    There is a tree hanging over the roadway at 33rd Ave SW and SW Spokane St (right next to the new housing development. The tree is sagging over the power lines – will likely come down at any moment.

     Roadway is very narrow (and too many folks cut through here way too fast). Please avoid the area. SCL and SDOT already contacted.

     

  • WS Tiki October 14, 2016 (5:43 pm)

    My thoughts to and prayers to the little boy and his father. Please keep us posted on their condition, and if their family need anything. 

  • MercyMoi October 14, 2016 (5:58 pm)

    I know the estimated restoration times are unreliable but they changed our restoration (Junction, west of California) from 4:45pm to 9pm today. I’m at a cafe charging my phone hoping heat and electricity cone on soon back hom. Mostly because, pets. Including a reptile who requires a heat lamp.

  • The Velvet Bulldog October 14, 2016 (5:59 pm)

    WSB, thank you for keeping us updated and informed. But for the love o’ god — be careful out there, will ya?

  • jf October 14, 2016 (6:03 pm)

    back on @ 46th and andover 6:00

  • Eddie October 14, 2016 (6:04 pm)

    Power just came back on 47 and Oregon. 

  • TK October 14, 2016 (6:12 pm)

    Power back on at 48th and Hudson

  • Helihu October 14, 2016 (6:13 pm)

    Power is back on at 41st and Brandon, three hours ahead of schedule. For now. 

  • LW October 14, 2016 (6:19 pm)

    The power is  back on at Poggie Tavern 

  • Lagartija Nick October 14, 2016 (6:22 pm)

    Evidently this needs to be repeated, when traffic lights are out you are supposed to treat the intersection as a four way stop. I was nearly hit by an suv in Admiral a short time ago.

  • Kerry October 14, 2016 (6:23 pm)

    Power’s back at 35th and Hudson!

  • Dawsonst October 14, 2016 (6:30 pm)

    Never lost power on Dawson. My next door neighbor did. At least my beer is cold for the storm.

  • Xana October 14, 2016 (6:50 pm)

    power out on Alki at Bonair Place at 6:30 p.m. just when I was finally getting into American Horror Story! 

  • Xana October 14, 2016 (6:55 pm)

    Alki power back on! Sky looks crazy! I may go live stream at the beach! 

  • Celine October 14, 2016 (7:33 pm)

    Keep us posted on the little boy’s condition plz. Thank you for all the updates…

  • Mike October 14, 2016 (7:40 pm)

    Still out by Schmitz Elementary, across the street is on though.  Probably throwing out a lot of food, been out since 1:40pm

    • Mike October 14, 2016 (11:31 pm)

      Still out, their original updated estimate of 11:06 has gone by and is now 1:23 AM, which would be almost 12 hours without power.  Really hope they get this up before the wind picks up on Saturday or we’ll be out for days.

      • Mike October 15, 2016 (9:39 am)

        Appreciate the work the dedicated city light people put in to make sure we get power again in a reasonable amount of time.   Came on sometime while we were asleep, when I got up at 5am the light was on in our kitchen.

  • Egigik October 15, 2016 (2:09 am)

    So glad I moved out of West Seattle a year ago, and now enjoying 80s weather in the Southwest. Stay safe my friends. I just got tired of that never ending gray umbrella.

  • Huge selection October 15, 2016 (2:13 am)

    Shots in Arbor/Rox hs?

  • Scott October 15, 2016 (10:57 am)

    Power out on 48th ave SW Spokane Street

    • WSB October 15, 2016 (11:40 am)

      Looks like a 3-customer outage there. Maybe a problem in the same area where the crossbar broke off yesterday, according to someone on twitter. (We’re going over for a look. We’ll have a new weather story up shortly, trying to finish one other thing first.)

  • Scott October 15, 2016 (12:07 pm)

    Appreciate the update and the hard work in restoring the electricity to us without power. 

  • Chris October 18, 2016 (12:52 pm)

    I’m still wondering about the 4 year old boy who was hurt.  Anything more on him?

    • WSB October 18, 2016 (1:52 pm)

      Not since a family friend told us the next day that she had visited them in the hospital and the outlook was “optimistic.” I’m going to ask Harborview if they are able to check on his condition without a name … since I don’t know his.

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