Overnight windstorm cuts power to more than 6,000 Whatcom homes, businesses
More than 6,000 homes and businesses were without power early Saturday, Dec. 11, as powerful winds swept western Washington overnight.
A gust of 60 mph was measured about 1 a.m. Saturday as winds were blowing a constant 30 mph.
Hardest-hit areas of Whatcom County were those exposed to the fierce south wind, including Ferndale and Sudden Valley.
About 2,700 PSE customers were without power in Sudden Valley, where a tree fell across power lines along Lake Louise Road about 1 a.m.
PSE gave no estimate for restoration time.
About 24,000 PSE customers were without power across the Puget Sound region.
Nearly a half-inch of rain had been recorded since midnight in Bellingham.
But there was no flood threat along the Nooksack River, where the communities of Everson, Nooksack and Sumas — among others — are recovering from devastating mid-November floods.
Heavy snow was falling in the North Cascades, where a winter storm warning was in effect.
About 6 inches of snow fell overnight at the Mt. Baker Ski Area, which plans to open for the winter season on Wednesday, Dec. 15.
Avalanche danger was high in the Mount Baker wilderness backcountry, the Northwest Avalanche Center said online.
Parts of Mount Baker Highway remained under repair with traffic controls from near Maple Falls to past Glacier, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Looking ahead, Saturday morning the National Weather Service said additional mountain snow will continue through the first half of the week and snow levels will remain low with colder air temperatures forecast. “There may be the potential for a little snow into the lower elevations during the overnight hours Tuesday or Wednesday (Dec. 14-15), though confidence in the details of this potential remain low.”
This story was originally published December 11, 2021 at 8:00 AM.
