Thousands still without power after windstorm
Nov 13, 2014, 6:48 AM | Updated: 11:05 am
Crews with Puget Sound Energy worked overnight to restore power to thousands in the region. (Puget Sound Energy Photo via Flickr)
(Puget Sound Energy Photo via Flickr)
While the winds have tapered off, tens of thousands were still without power Wednesday night as crews from as far as Canada raced to repair the damage from the powerful storm.
Puget Sound Energy reported over 13,000 people are still without power Thursday morning. That number had been reduced to 7,600 shortly before noon. The hardest hit area was the South Sound. At one point, the entire town of Bonney Lake was in the dark. PSE called in outside crews from Oregon, Eastern Washington and Canada for assistance.
The power outages have prompted several schools to delay start times, or even close for the second day in a row.
While winds are dying down, the National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for areas along the Cascade foothills and Whatcom County, in effect until 11 a.m. Thursday.
Forecasters said wind speeds clocked in around 40 mph overnight Tuesday, with gusts reaching 60 mph in some areas.
Easing winds will be replaced Thursday by a chance of a rain-snow mix in southwest Washington and snow in Eastern Washington, according to forecasters.
Incoming rain could fall as snow in areas south of Olympia.
The National Weather Service issued a storm watch for south central and southeast Washington with the possibility of 2-to-5 inches of snow by Friday morning.
Forecasters say lows will remain below freezing in Western Washington and in the single digits across Eastern Washington.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
