WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Flooding alert issued as thunderstorms move through; 67-customer power outage

(Added: Quick clip of lightning as it approached, recorded by Tom Trulin)
8:40 PM: You’ve probably heard the thunder even if you haven’t seen the lightning. A band of thunderstorms has arrived in our area and the National Weather Service has issued a flood alert for most of the region, in effect until 10:45 tonight, because of heavy rain accompanying the thunderstorms. The flooding isn’t expected to be major but beware of street ponding, for example. Let us know (206-293-6302 text) about any problems like downed trees or outages – in the meantime, keep everything charged!

9:51 PM: Some really close strikes in the past few minutes, so it’s a good time to stay inside.

(Added: Elissa Roche’s video captures the sound of the rain, plus some lightning)
10:28 PM: The rain has lightened and the lightning/thunder have moved on (mostly).

11:41 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s shared visuals of the lightning. The photo above is from Nicolay Thomassen, who was looking west from just north of Lincoln Park. So far no major problems anywhere in our area, and the weather is definitely a lot calmer now – though the NWS has extended the Flood Advisory alert to 2:45 am.

12:30 AM: Thanks to the texter who points out the first notable power outage in the area – 67 customers near 20th/Thistle.

There's no place like home August 17, 2024 (9:07 pm)

Fold up those patio umbrellas!

SJ August 17, 2024 (10:18 pm)

Good call, thanks! :-)
Tom Soule August 18, 2024 (8:41 am)

Hey! I just got a free patio umbrella from last night! and I’m in Auburn!

Lucy August 17, 2024 (9:10 pm)

At last! Peace on Alki! No racing cars and motorcycles!!!

Mike August 17, 2024 (9:17 pm)

Wait, I thought that ended when the new speed bumps were installed…..?
John August 17, 2024 (11:40 pm)

Not from what I saw down there there were still cars driving like crazy and there was one guy that was doing a burnout and then started driving down the road still doing a burnout going horizontal and nearly hitting some of the parked cars
West is best August 18, 2024 (2:39 am)

Word.
Tom Soule August 18, 2024 (8:42 am)

Nope. Unlimited hydros, instead!
- Rhonda August 18, 2024 (12:07 pm)
  
  Tom, you win with best comment of the story.
Jane August 18, 2024 (2:24 pm)
- The view of the nonstop row of vehicles coming up Admiral right when the storm started created visuals in my head of 100’s running to their cars!!

Marcus August 17, 2024 (9:15 pm)

The Olympic peninsula fire is getting rain and the lighting appears to be sheet lighting: hopefully no additional fires will be started.

Midi August 17, 2024 (9:54 pm)

Wow, my entire house shook with the last thunder!

Ab August 17, 2024 (10:09 pm)

Thought my windows were gonna break!

Genesee Hill August 17, 2024 (9:59 pm)

The thunder at 9:52 shook our house!

Steve August 17, 2024 (10:10 pm)

Ditto. That’s a first.
1994 August 17, 2024 (10:23 pm)

Mine too in Arbor Heights – pretty crazy and it was alarming!
Sue H August 17, 2024 (10:38 pm)

That one sounded like there was a freight train traveling above my ceiling. Damn!

I love thunderstorms August 17, 2024 (10:00 pm)

Thoroughly enjoying this storm, the lightning and thunder ❤️👍

Corgi House August 17, 2024 (10:07 pm)

Yeah, the strike at 9:50ish was a big one

Rhonda August 17, 2024 (10:14 pm)

This wonderful rain and wind really cleared up our bad air quality.

Admiral-2009 August 17, 2024 (10:15 pm)

Kudos to the weather models and those that interpret the data!

TMT August 17, 2024 (10:22 pm)

POW/FLASH So loud my ears are still ringing at 9:52pm… wow!

Suzanne August 17, 2024 (10:36 pm)

I absolutely LOVE these late summer thunderstorms, like clockwork always the third week of August. The wind, rain, lightning…. everything feels so alive! Our doors and windows are open as we take it all in.

It makes me think of my very kind grandparent-like landlords Earl and Grace, who grew up on farms in Zillah and Granger (Yakama County). They moved to Seattle in the 1940s and lived in their house for 50 years, farming their double lot in Wallingford. I was so fortunate to rent their mother-in-law apartment for 10 years in the 1980s.

During these storms we’d sit outside and watch the night sky light up. I learned from them that the corn, tomatoes, zucchini, green beans, and much more would be literally supercharged after an electrical storm. A week or two later the corn would be ready to pick and Grace would be canning everything that couldn’t be eaten right then. We’d all be happily basking in fresh veggies from that point on until October.

I always wondered by electrical storms had that effect on our crops and finally now after all these years see why — https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/lightning-and-plants.htm

Jenn August 17, 2024 (11:29 pm)

Thanks for sharing! That’s a great memory
- Just wondering August 18, 2024 (4:46 am)
  
  Simple memories are the best!
LJJ August 18, 2024 (6:59 am)

Amazing! We opened the windows and went outside for the first hour to take it all in, too. I always enjoy these August thunderstorms. Thank you for sharing. I love to read these kinds of anecdotes in the comment section.
Bliss August 18, 2024 (7:24 am)

Great article. Thank you.

Sam August 18, 2024 (7:19 am)

Is anyone missing a fluffy cat near 55th and Orleans? Our camera caught a cat hanging out under our balcony off and on from midnight until about 5AM. I’ve never seen this guy and hope someone didn’t escape during the storm!