WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Thunder, lightning, flooding, wind alert

10:28 AM: On what was already a stormy morning, a band of thunderstorms is moving through. The National Weather Service says there’s a chance of more throughout the day and into the evening. And a wind alert takes effect shortly – from 11 am until 6 pm, the NWS has a Wind Advisory for our area: “Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts 35 to 45 mph expected. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.” If a tree falls and blocks public right-of-way, you can report it to SDOT’s after-hours dispatch, 206-386-1218. (Then please let us know too if you can – 206-293-6302 is our round-the-clock text/voice hotline.)

10:59 AM: If you missed the intense burst of rain – check out Elizabeth‘s brief but dramatic video of a West Seattle stairway becoming a waterfall:

That’s across from the Fauntleroy ferry dock.

11:15 AM: The thundershowers have left behind some major puddling. A texter warns the recurring trouble spot by the Delridge entrance to the bridge has it. Another texter says Admiral/California has some flooding (added: video)

And we received this photo from the midblock crosswalk in The Junction between Oregon and Alaska:

Clogged drains in the street are addressed by Seattle Public Utilities but if there’s one you can safely clear by your home or business, give it a try as they’re likely, pardon the phrase, backed up.

12:19 PM: That’s exactly what the neighbors at the infamous-for-clogging Fauntleroy/Raymond intersection did – Frank sent the photos and report:

The neighbors at Fauntleroy and Raymond banded together and drained Lake FaunRay!

(added) Ryan sent this video of rainwater rushing westbound down Avalon near 35th:

Thanks to everyone for the photos, video, and updates (in comments too) – we’re in a break right now but forecasters say more is on the way.

Sarah November 4, 2023 (11:18 am)

Flooding at California & Admiral intersection

Dan Keller November 4, 2023 (11:35 am)

Same at California and Hanford.

Erik November 4, 2023 (11:29 am)

I was at Westwood when the heavy rain started. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it rain so hard in my life. Was quite something!

ddd November 4, 2023 (11:49 am)

Looking at the traffic cams, it looks like the eastbound/downhill lanes on Highland Park Way where it crosses West Marginal is flooded too. Watch out for hydroplaning when you hit the water if you’re coming down the hill.

Gill & Alex November 4, 2023 (11:54 am)

Thank you all for your video and photos. That stairwell looks like a real falls. We had over 1/3rd inch of rain here west of downtown WC in 5 minutes! Yes, heaviest rainfall we have ever seen and with thunder.

uncle loco November 4, 2023 (11:55 am)

Lots of standing water out there. I saw the weirdest thing on Airport Way in front of the old Rainier brewery about an hour ago. The manhole covers in the street were floating above the holes spinning like a top. No water coming through. My guess is air pressure from the storm drain system. Unfortunately a truck drove over one and knocked the cover off the hole. I’m not sure if this is common during a weather system like this or not. Be careful on the roads out there.

SE November 4, 2023 (11:57 am)

My neighbors and I cleared the drains on Fauntleroy from Raymond to Brandon this morning. The flooding on Fauntleroy fully engulfed the street and started going up the side streets. We were out there with rakes and our hands, pulling leaves and muck out of the drains. It was so satisfying to see the first whorl as it started to drain and then hear the whoosh as the water drained in earnest. Within a few minutes, the street was empty. In advance of the next rain, please rake the leaves on the street in front of your home and consider adopting a nearby drain to clear regularly.

Frank November 4, 2023 (1:29 pm)

The City and Council Member Hrebold have been very proactive with making sure the drains in the area around Raymond and Fauntleroy were in a good position to handle this type of rain but we still got flooded. It makes me wonder if it is the infrastructure and/or high tides combined with rain generate these conditions.
- SE November 4, 2023 (4:26 pm)
  
  I think the biggest problem is the quantity of leaves and other debris that this heavy storm washed down the streets. All of the drains I cleared out were stuffed with leaves and muddy/sandy muck.

Gina November 4, 2023 (1:22 pm)

Large lake at the base of the Highland park hill west side at west Marginal

Derp November 4, 2023 (1:22 pm)

I was going north on Delridge from Trenton and the “New Drains” weren’t working at all. The placement of these, is questionable at best. I know it dumped hard, but still…..

Fiz November 4, 2023 (2:09 pm)

Many thanks to the man who bent, with bare hands, to clear the leaves and muck from the drain across from Junction True Value. You, sir, are a keeper!

Kt November 4, 2023 (2:47 pm)

Just took a walk and saw lots of leaves in the gutters clogging the drains. If you are able bodied, break out those rakes!

Resident November 4, 2023 (3:29 pm)

100% why people let them get clogged up is beyond me. I guess that’s the “cities problem”?

valvashon November 4, 2023 (7:42 pm)

Next time you see something like this hold your phone sideways. Captures more infomaion and fits in the TV and You Tube (and as a result, the WSB) hole better. Shoot once for your Insta or Tik or whatever, then a second time the right way. Can you guess how tired I am of seeing vertical video?

1994 November 4, 2023 (9:16 pm)

There was a guy in knee high water near 35th & Barton, 7-11 side of the street, trying to clear a drain. Really hard to find the drain in 2 feet of murky water! !! Kudos to that guy!

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