PORT ANGELES — As of 3 p.m. Friday, weather forecasters report that the North Olympic Peninsula must prepare for extreme weather events which could affect our region.
Weather forecasters predict strong damaging winds to move through the area this weekend, starting tonight and continuing through Sunday.
With an increasing degree of confidence, the National Weather Service said that the Port Angeles-Sequim area, which usually avoids strong winds in most storms, will get a rare surge of damaging easterly winds late Saturday evening.
Wind speeds could be as high as 65 mph as the low pressure zone moves just west of the region, drawing in a strong wind down the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the east.
Area residents should consider the following precautions:
• Minimizing travel. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
• Bring pets/companion animals inside. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.
• Water — at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day.
• Food — at least a 3-day supply of nonperishable, easy-to-prepare food.
• Flashlights with extra batteries.
As of 3 p.m., these advisories and warnings have been posted:
Clallam Fire District No. 2
Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue has a small career staff and many responders are volunteers who respond from home and work when available.
To be better prepared, Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue is bringing in some of those volunteer firefighter/EMT personnel to staff fire apparatus at Station 22, located on the west side of Port Angeles at Power Plant Road.
This additional staffing will augment the two career personnel who are on duty 24 hours a day at Station 21, located on the east side of Port Angeles at Baker St.
These additional personnel will provide for a more rapid response to any emergencies in the western portion of the Fire District.
Additional equipment, such as hand tools and power saws that may be necessary for rescue operations or emergency access, are being added to CFR vehicles in anticipation of the high demand for those types of tools.
City of Port Angeles
Both the City of Port Angeles and Clallam County Emergency Operation centers will be prepared to handle emergencies throughout the weekend.
The city urges resident to watch www.facebook.com/pafiredept for information; this is the primary source of information for the city’s emergency operations.
The city plans to post updates thoughout the weekend.
In any type of emergency, 9-1-1 operators receive many calls for emergency services.
Port Angeles asks that residents limit 9-1-1 phone calls to emergency and life-threatening incidents. Reserve 9-1-1 use for medical emergencies, fires, downed lines, building collapses and similar emergencies.
Clallam PUD
Residents and businesses served by Clallam PUD can report power outages to (360) 452-9771 or (800) 542-7859.
To check on outages, go to clallampud.net.
Jefferson PUD
Residents and businesses served by Jefferson PUD can report power outages between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 360-385-8253. After hours, call the PUD customer service line at 360-385-5800 and press 3 to get an on-call foreman.
For a map of current outages, go to https://ebill.jeffpud.org/woViewer/mapviewer.html?config=Outage+Web+Map.
Washington State Ferries
On Friday afternoon, the Washington State Ferry system was experiencing delays and cancellations.
For information on ferries, go to: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedule/bulletin.aspx or call 206-464-6400 or 1-888-808-7977.
Black Ball Ferry
For information about the Black Ball Ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria, contact the ferry line at 360-457-4491 or 1-888-993-3779.
Washington Department of Transportation
At 3:05 p.m. Friday, the Hood Canal Bridge (state Highway 104) was closed to traffic due to high winds. It was reopened at 6 p.m.
Before traveling, check the WSDOT alert page at http://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/tracking-stormswhat-travelers-need-to.html.
Public agencies which need to share information about emergency services during the storm can email it to: news@peninsuladailynews.com.
