By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Just as many folks are recovering from deep snow and its aftermath, a windstorm is coming tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
The foul weather could snap tree branches and cause further power outages, according to a wind advisory issued this afternoon.
The weather service says southerly winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph will develop after midnight and continue tomorrow morning.
The advisory is in effect for most of Western Washington, including the Southwest Interior.
Locally, authorities are expecting gusts as high as 50 mph.
Lewis County Emergency Management spokesperson Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown says the winds could cause more trees, utility poles and power lines to fall, with landslide possibilities.
In the Boistfort Valley, the fire chief has informed the community to expect to lose electricity, but was hopeful the increasing temperatures would melt some ice minimizing the risk of ice-heavy trees toppling.
And it will be wet, Lewis County Fire District 13 Chief Gregg Peterson notes in his message.
“The rain may be as much as two inches as this initial front passes,” Peterson writes.
A flood watch remains in place through tomorrow afternoon. An avalanche warning continues for the Cascade and Olympic Mountains.
The Boistfort community is prepared to open their grange if they end up with multiple people in distress, according to Peterson.
The Red Cross has opened several shelters, and the closest locally are at the Moose Lodge in Yelm and the McLane Black Lake Fire Station on Delphi Road in Olympia.
The Red Cross reminds the public of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning during power outages:
• Never heat or cook inside on a charcoal or gas grill.
• Never use a generator or portable propane heater indoors, in garages or in car ports.
•••
Check the forecast and warnings for your area, here and here
Both the above links – “Weather forecasts” and “River levels” are always available on the right hand sidebar of Lewis County Sirens.com
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
So far its been hunky dory here in winlock…
You’re welcome, “A Reader” – The forecasts change often enough it just makes sense for people to take a looksie. –Sharyn D.
Thank you for the links to the weather.gov sites. I have been watching http://rivers.lewiscountywa.gov/# avidly, but I like how the second link shows all areas, and in color!
Thanks for your help!