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.