10 years later: Remembering the deadly August windstorm that stunned western WA

Has it been 10 years already? On August 29, 2015, the strongest summer wind storm on record swept through western Washington.

Wind gusts of up to 70 mph pounded the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, and Everett-Paine Field had wind gusts of more than 60 mph. Many other western Washington interior locations recorded wind gusts of more than 50 mph, while along the coast, winds peaked higher than 70 mph. With leaves on trees, branches and trees were more easily blown down onto homes, roads, and more.

More than half a million customers lost power in the midday Saturday storm. It took days for power crews to return service to customers.

Two people lost their lives as a result of fallen trees and large branches. Many arterial roads and neighborhood streets were blocked by downed trees, including Interstate 405 just south of I-5 in Lynnwood and Bothell.

Washington’s one-of-a-kind summer wind storm

No other windstorm has ever occurred like this one during the summer. This type of windstorm was the kind that would occur in the fall or winter season. With leaves on trees acting as sails on a ship, the strong winds more easily toppled or uprooted trees, and tore off tree branches.

The windstorm was well forecast in advance. Yet, being an August weekend, many people were not paying attention to the weather. That Saturday morning had sunshine as the storm approached, tending to give the impression of a nice day ahead. But by midday, the windstorm struck.

Some boaters on waterways, including Puget Sound, were caught unaware with several capsizes. A number of rescues involved both the U.S. Coast Guard and nearby boaters.

This historic wind storm 10 years ago was quite unusual, yet it could happen again. It is always important to be weather aware and, as a result, weather prepared.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X