MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Up to 2,500 lightning strikes recorded during severe storm

May 5, 2017, 5:51 AM | Updated: 11:21 am

lightning strikes, Thunderstorms...

Expect to see some lightning Friday afternoon. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

There were as many as 2,500 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes recorded during the thunderstorm that knocked out power to thousands and flooded roadways across Western Washington Thursday.

Check school closings and delays

It was one of — if not the — most active severe weather day since the mid-1980s, according to data from the National Weather Service. Eight Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued, which is more than in the past five years combined, according to KIRO 7 Meteorologist Morgan Palmer.

Fewer than 10,000 Puget Sound Energy customers are without power. Only a handful of Seattle City Light customers are in the dark. Snohomish County PUD reports power has been restored to the bulk of its customers, with scattered outages in the Lake Stevens/Granite Falls area.

KIRO 7 reports Lacey may have been the hardest hit by the thunderstorms. A number of drivers were trapped for hours by the storm that knocked down a power pole.

Thunderstorms are now out of the forecast.

“We’re back to a more typical weather pattern Friday with occasional showers, lots of gray skies, and temperatures only reaching about 60 in the afternoon,” according to Palmer.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

spokane complex fires destroy evacuate...

Lexi Herda, KIRO 7 News

Spokane Complex Fires: 700 homes destroyed, 65K evacuated

The announcement comes as at least 65,000 people have been evacuated, and 700 homes have been destroyed by a series of wildfires in the Spokane area.

2 hours ago

olympia election official threats...

Madeline Ottilie, KIRO 7 News

‘We’re not going to shy away from it’: Local elections offices increase security to manage threats

A survey of hundreds of local election officials found that nearly a third have experienced threats, harassment, or abuse because of their job.

2 hours ago

renton officer stabbed woman dead...

Frank Sumrall

Renton police officer stabbed in face, woman found dead after overnight disturbance

The Renton Police Department is investigating a deadly stabbing that also left one officer seriously injured late Monday night.

2 hours ago

T-Mobile park mariners...

Chris Sullivan

Traffic survival guide: Hawks and Mariners to hold parties at the same time while construction returns to several freeways

Seattle showed that it can handle the biggest of events after acing the World Cup test, but the summer events aren't over.

3 hours ago

_spokane wildfires...

Luke Duecy

Convicted felon arrested in connection with Old Trails Fire in Spokane

Governor Bob Ferguson said federal resources are on the way to help Washington battle 17 major wildfires burning more than 260,000 acres.

11 hours ago

pierce transit (1)...

Nate Connors

Chill out during this week’s heat wave courtesy of Pierce Transit

It's become a regular service to Pierce County residents during the excessive heat bursts we often get throughout our summer season.

13 hours ago

Up to 2,500 lightning strikes recorded during severe storm