Strong winds, rain pound Western Washington; strongest storm still to come





Strong winds and rain continue to pound the Pacific Northwest -- knocking down trees, blocking roads and causing power outages.

Q13 News' team of meteorologists is tracking the storms and getting you prepared for Saturday's storm which is expected to be much stronger, bringing drenching rains and damaging winds.

The National Weather Service received reports that a tornado touched down in Manzanita, Oregon around 8:25 a.m.

Tillamook County Sheriff Andy Long says it touched down in the city of Manzanita about 8:20 a.m. He says there are no reports of injuries, but there have been several calls about damage, including one from a woman who says all the windows in her house were blown out.

Photos and video from the scene show downed trees and utility poles, and damage to homes and other buildings.



Back in Western Washington, Pierce County reported six downed trees and 13 places with water over the road as of 3:30 a.m.



Early Friday, wind gusts as high as 68 mph were recorded at Destruction Island as thunderstorms moved onshore.



Power outages

As of 1:10 p.m., Puget Sound Energy was reporting around 30,000 customers without power in Bellingham, Olympia, Bainbridge Island, Sedro-Woolley, Vashon and Concrete.

Seattle City Light is reporting about 7,100 without power.

Power outages have also been reported in Grays Harbor County and Jefferson County.




    What's ahead

    Q13 Meteorologist Rebecca Stevenson says Friday will be gusty all day. Morning thunderstorms are slamming into the Washington coast with dangerous lightning spreading onshore and tracking inland.

    Today: Heavy rain showers are tracking through with a building southerly wind.  Wind gusts for Everett to Seattle to Bremerton and Olympia will be 30 to 45mph and a Wind Advisory has been issued until 6pm tonight  for most of the inland cities.  Stronger wind gusts up to 60mph have kept a high wind warning in place for western Whatcom, Skagit, Island counties.

    Tonight: Friday Night the weather keeps some rain showers, wind only breezy at times.

    Rain will increase again later Saturday morning and this will be a round which dumps another 1-3″ of rain over central Puget Sound.  Higher amounts of rain will be added over the Olympic and Cascade mountains.

    ALERT:  A High Wind Watch for all of western Washington, Saturday afternoon and night,  as a powerful storm is developing and threatens to bring dangerous wind speeds, including downtown cities.

    The National Weather Service and NOAA said that, "With Storm 2 (on Saturday), there remain several possible outcomes on the exact track. These outcomes have reached greater agreement on a track that would produce a significant and damaging wind storm in Western Washington. The possibility of widespread wind damage and significant power outages will accompany the storm, along with very high surf and the potential for significant coastal erosion/flooding."

    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.


      Severe weather: thunderstorms, tornado warnings

      The National Weather Service has been tracking a line of thunderstorms along the Washington Coast. Between 4 and 5 a.m., more than 160 lightning strikes were recorded along the northern coast.



      NWS was tracking thunderstorms pushing inland in Jefferson and Grays Harbor Counties.



      Meteorologists also issued a tornado warning Friday morning as they tracked a strong thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado as it moved through parts of Pacific County and Naselle.

      The NWS advises "when a tornado warning is issued: Take cover, move to a basement or an interior room in a sturdy building. If you are in a mobile home or outdoors move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."