Windstorm warning | Power outages expected

Winds could reach 40-50 mph by mid-day Tuesday; about 20 Islanders have lost power.

Update: About 20 people lost power at the corner of 73rd Avenue S.E. and S.E. 27th Street Tuesday morning. About 60 more were out of power near West Mercer Way, on S.E. 36th Street and 73rd Avenue S.E. About 140 people lost power on Holly Lane at about 2 p.m.

The City of Mercer Island has been monitoring weather forecasts and the expected path of the upcoming windstorm.

After minor gusts on Monday, Nov. 16, strong winds are currently forecast to arrive Tuesday morning, Nov. 17, and possibly deliver peak gusts from the south in the 40-50 mph range by mid-day Tuesday.

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With the multiple days of heavy rain over the past weekend, soils are saturated, and some large trees may be blown down, especially if they have yet to shed their leaves.

Moderate rains will continue tonight through Tuesday, and possibly longer.

City emergency staff and field crews are prepared to respond.

Check the City’s news release for useful links, www.mercergov.org/News.asp?NewsID=1968, and the PSE power outage map, http://tinyurl.com/jwrunup.

The PSE Hotline is 1-888-225-5773.

Meanwhile, residents are advised to take standard precautions for windstorm events, such as:
-Prepare to be without power
-Set aside non-perishable food and water
-Plan for the loss of landline phone service and internet connectivity
-Locate flashlights and spare batteries
-Charge up cellphones

It’s also a good time to get ready for future winter storms and outages. Learn how to assemble an emergency kit at Take Winter By Storm.