Northwest windstorm topples trees, causes power outages
SEATTLE -- Winds began picking up Friday morning -- toppling trees and knocking out power to thousands.
As of early Friday afternoon, downed trees have been reported in east King County, Lewis and Thurston counties.
As of 12:30 p.m., Puget Sound Energy reported around 20,000 customers had lost power. Utility companies have crews ready to respond if the power goes out.
Q13 News Meteorologist M.J. McDermott says a high wind warning has been issued for Friday. Sustained winds of 25-35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph are forecast in through much of Western Washington, including King, Pierce, San Juan, Kitsap and Skagit counties. Plus 60-70 mph gusts for the coast and northern interior.
Crystal Mountain already registered a wind gust of 102 mph at the summit, according to the National Weather Service.
A Bellevue homeowner told Q13 News reporter Steve Kiggins that he watched a tree fall right on top of his house.
Meanwhile even more powerful winds slammed the Portland area where hundreds of thousands lost power Friday, according to KPTV.