Alerts

First Big Storm of the Season – You Prepared?

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It’s time for our first big storm. And you know what that means — wind and rain!
 
Here’s the alert from the National Weather Service
 
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a high wind warning, which is in eeffect from 8pm this evening to 6am Friday. Peak wind speeds are expected from late this evening through the overnight hours. Winds – south and southeast – from 25-35mph, with gusts from 45-50mph.
This will be the first wind even of this magnitude this season. Impacts such as tree damage are typically greater for an event of this magnitude when it is the first event of the season. Prepare for tree damage and scattered power outages.
 
So, make your preparations soonest:
 
– remove anything from your yards that might blow around
– make sure you know where your flashlights are, and that they work
– if you have a generator, make sure it is working and you have a fresh supply of gas (stored gas should be treated with a gas stabilizer so it doesn’t go ‘bad’)
– Stay home if possible.
– tie down small children and pets that are left outside (well, that’s not exactly right; I was just seeing if you were paying attention)
 
Check on your neighbors, especially during a power outage.
 
To get text alerts and emails from the Jefferson County Emergency operations (recommended), go to www.jeffcoeoc.org and click on the phone icon.
 
Stay safe out there !!

Crying Wolf About Wind?

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On Thursday, Dec. 3rd (2015), a warning for high winds in our area was forwarded to all Timberton residents via an “email blast” from Rick Hellewell, at the request of Tom Carter, Emergency Manager for Timberton HOA.   
 
The warning was issued because we had experienced two damaging windstorms causing power outages recently — one on Aug 29 and the other on Nov 15.  North Olympic power managers were wary on Thursday, Dec. 3, as a new storm headed our way, and no one was certain just how bad the storm would be when it reached us.  NOAA [the government weather dweebs] issued the warning Thursday morning for sustained winds of 60 to 70 mph for east Jefferson Country and the Pacific Ocean coast.  Wind speeds were expected to be most severe between 5 and 6 pm.  PUD personnel were prepared for power outages because in the two most recent storms, power was lost to thousands of customers due to downed trees.  After those storms, power was restored in some areas within hours, but it took several days to reach customers in more remote areas.  
 
This time, the storm weakened and moved north aa it came ashore, and the weather service downgraded its warnings at about 2 pm; however PUD and law enforcement agencies took a wait-and-see stance and waited until Friday morning, Dec. 4th, to issue an “all clear” in our area.  
 
It missed us this time, but please don’t ignore these warnings!  They are sent to you for your protection and so you can plan and be ready, just in case.

Not Dark Now

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So the power is back on in our little village. Others in the OP area still waiting.

What was your experience during the outage yesterday? Were you prepared? What did you wish you had done to prepare (and what are you going to do to prepare for the next one)? How did you stay informed? Any tree damage?

Let us know in the comments. The Web Guy was more prepared this time than the last one: LED lanterns for light, water was stored, kept the fridge door closed (cold cereal for dinner), phones were charged, had backup batteries/chargers for the phones (although ATT was down, so didn’t have that info access).

How about you?

Wind and Flood Warnings for Tuesday

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The weather dweebs are warning about a high wind event Tuesday (11/16) morning through the evening, with sustained winds of up to 40mph and gusts to 60mph. There is also a flood warning due to the anticipated rain. The rain/flood and wind warnings are here http://www.wunderground.com/US/WA/511.html#FLO .

These weather events might cause some power outages and road blockages, in addition to travel effects on the Hood Canal bridge (remember the last big wind storm?).

The Web Guy suggest that today (Monday) would be a good day to prepare for an electrical outage, and ensure that your food supply is sufficient to ‘ride out’ the storm. Check your flashlights for fresh batteries (and that you know where they are). Be safe during any outage (no candles, or indoor BBQ cooking – even in the garage). Be cautious while driving: watch for road debris, and don’t drive through flooding roads.

Add your comments below on other ideas to be prepared.

Wind and Rain Alerts – Are You Prepared?

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It’s always a good idea to know about the weather around here. Wind-blown trees causing electrical outages, lots of rain causing flooding, etc.

One way is to look at the local weather station, right here in Timberton, out in the back yard of your Web Guy. You can get current (or past) information with the quick look over on the right of these web site pages, or go directly to http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KWAPORTL19.

http://www.wunderground.com/US/WA/511.html#WAT

http://www.wunderground.com/US/WA/511.html#WAT

http://www.wunderground.com/US/WA/511.html#WAT

http://www.wunderground.com/US/WA/511.html#WAT