The windstorm predicted to hit the North Olympic Peninsula today died down as it came ashore.
With two major, damaging windstorms in recent memory, North Olympic Peninsula road and power managers were ready and wary today as a storm pushed into the region.
No one was certain just how bad the storm would be as it approached the Pacific Coast.
The National Weather Service in Seattle revised its forecast twice in 12 hours.
The first warnings were put in place this morning — storm warnings for the Pacific Ocean off the coast, warnings of sustained winds of 60 to 70 miles per hour for the Pacific Ocean coast and East Jefferson County, and a wind advisory of 45 miles per hour for Joyce, Port Angeles and Sequim.
Wind speeds were expected to be most severe between 5 p.m. and
6 p.m.
The storm weakened as it came ashore, so the weather service downgraded forecast wind speeds to no more than 50 or 60 miles per hour at about 2 p.m.
Public utility districts and law enforcement agencies took a wait-and-see stance this afternoon.
“We’re always on standby. We can’t predict where trees will fall,” said Mike Howe, spokesman for the Clallam County PUD.
Clallam County Sheriff’s Office deputies were on patrol and it was “business as usual,” said Brian King, chief criminal deputy and spokesman.
Because windstorms such as the one approaching are common during winter, deputies carry chain saws and stay ready to alert Clallam County and state Department of Transportation road crews as needed to keep roads open, King said.
Jim Parker, Jefferson County Public Utility District manager, said an extra crew was hired to help with possible electrical outages caused by the impending storm.
The region has already been badly damaged by two major windstorms this year, storms that were bad enough to warrant aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Parker said.
While the extra crew will cost more to keep on standby, it is better to be prepared, he said.
Power was cut to thousands of customers after storms on Aug. 29 and Nov. 17, when trees crashed down onto power poles.
In some areas, power was restored within hours to hundreds of customers at a time, but it took several days to reach customers in more remote areas, where the damage was to small lines leading to only one or two homes.
The State Patrol had no specific preparation in place for the storm, said Trooper Russ Winger, spokesman for the State Patrol.
“We will react as needed. Hopefully the power stays on,” Winger said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladaily
news.com.
EARLIER STORY
Public utility districts in Clallam and Jefferson counties are gearing up for another round of storm winds, which are expected to hit the North Olympic Peninsula this afternoon.
Jim Parker, Jefferson County Public Utility District manager, said an extra crew has been hired to help with possible electrical outages caused by the impending storm.
“Forewarned is forearmed,” Parker said.
Clallam County PUD is prepared, said Mike Howe, district spokesman.
“Our crews are always ready to work in all weather,” Howe said.
A powerful winter storm is forecast to bring high winds to the Peninsula beginning at 1 p.m. today on the West Coast, and lasting through midnight.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for both east and western Peninsula locations.
The forecast in La Push and other Pacific Coast locations includes the possibility of winds of 50 miles per hour with 70 mph gusts from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sustained winds of 40 mph and gusts to 60 mph are expected between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the Port Townsend and Hood Canal area, said Josh Smith, forecaster for the National Weather Service.
The strongest winds are expected to arrive between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and may cause problems for commuters using ferries and downing trees on roads, Smith said.
“I won’t be surprised if the power goes out in those areas,” he said.
A wind advisory has been issued for 1 p.m. to midnight for areas adjacent to the central Strait of Juan de Fuca, including Joyce, Port Angeles and Forks.
West winds of 35 miles per hour, with gusts to 45 miles per hour are possible, Smith said.
A storm warning is also in effect through 11 p.m. for marine areas in the Strait and in the Pacific Ocean off of the Peninsula.
The Pacific Ocean off the coast and the entrance to the Strait, 14-foot to 17-foot seas are expected, with a possibility of up to 20-foot seas, according to the forecast.
The storm warning includes the central and eastern Strait, where wind-driven waves and swells are expected to be seven to nine feet.
A gale warning was issued for the Hood Canal and Puget Sound, also with seven to nine-foot seas expected.
The 2015-16 winter storm season has started off with two severe, storms already, Parker noted.
The storms, on Aug. 29 and Nov. 17, caused major damage to electrical infrastructure and many roads were closed due to downed trees.
Olympic National Park shut down completely after the August windstorm and closed some areas before the November winds hit.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
