NWS warns typhoon remains to slam Washington with 'damaging winds, heavy rains' today



SEATTLE -- Western Washington, still recovering from a major rain and wind storm,  is bracing for the next big rain and wind event -- the remnants of a Pacific typhoon -- that is expected to hammer the area late Saturday afternoon and Saturday night.

Some fear the storm could be the strongest and most dangerous storm  to hit the area in a decade or more.

Q13 News' team of meteorologists is getting you prepared for the storm. Watch Q13 News This Morning on JOEtv (Cable 10, Channel 22) from  6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Q13 Meteorologist Tim Joyce says on-and-off showers and steady rain will be arriving as it gets closer to noon for the Puget Sound region, with 1-3 inches of rain over the central Puget Sound.  Higher amounts of rain will  fall over the Olympic and Cascade mountains.

On Saturday afternoon, he says, winds will really start to pick up and the HIGH WIND WARNING takes effect from Saturday afternoon until 2 a.m. Sunday. Wind gusts at the coast could be as high as 65-70 mph. Inland, the winds will still be strong -- up to 60 mph around the North Sound, near 50 mph around Seattle and the Central Sound; the South Sound will likely see wind gusts of 40-50 mph.

The National Weather Service in Seattle late Friday night said, "The remains of Typhoon Songda will bring damaging winds, heavy rains, and possible high surf to parts of western Washington Saturday afternoon and evening. Winds will be southerly 20 to 45 mph with gusts of 65 to 70 mph. Expect tree damage and power outages with these winds.

"Rain will be heavy at times, especially in the North Cascades where the south fork of the Nooksack River in Whatcom County could flood from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon.

"High surf conditions are possible on the coast of Grays Harbor county Saturday afternoon through late Saturday night, which will make beach conditions dangerous and could cause beach erosion.

"Some uncertainties with this storm still exist, so be sure to monitor the latest forecasts and statements, and prepare now for hazardous weather!"

Sunday: SEAHAWKS!  In time for kickoff expect rain showers and breezy wind.  Dress warm for the wind and water-resistant, rain showers will come and go with highs in the mid 50s.


    The National Weather Service, which is tracking the storm, sent out this tweet just before 9 p.m. Friday:





    Western Washington is still recovering after a rain and wind storm hammered the region on Thursday night and early Friday.  The strong winds toppled scores of trees and power lines across the region, leaving tens of thousands of people without electricity for hours. At least 700 homes in Mason County were to be without power until mid-morning Saturday, the local PUD tweeted.



    In West Seattle, a tree branch fell and seriously injured a 4-year-old boy and left his father with minor injuries.

    The Seattle Fire Department says the boy and his father were inside Glen Garden, a popular trail in West Seattle when a massive tree branch broke off and hit the boy and his father. Both were taken to Harborview Medical Center.

    In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard had to be called in to rescue 40 young teenagers and 6 adults became stranded when trees fell, knocking out their power and blocking their way out at a camp on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. No one was injured.

    Drenching rains led to some river flooding and urban flooding.  In Oregon, at least two tornadoes were confirmed, with homes and businesses damage in Manzanita, Ore., but no one was injured.