Western Washington Environment Devastated by Severe Winds

Severe winds and storms in Western Washington this week pose threats of flooding, power outages, and damage.

Western Washington is bracing for extreme weather with damaging winds expected to hit the entire region, especially the coastline and Cascade foothills. A developing bomb cyclone off the coast is causing the wind to spill down the Cascades, putting local residents at risk.

The Federal National Weather Service (NWS) has raised a weighty alert Storm Warnings of Building Gale’s for coastal inside waters and the Strait of Juan de Fuca with up to 65 miles per hour wind gales forecasted. The sailors are expected to sail at their own risk and sail in twenty-seven feet wave height surge accompanied by damage seas. NWS advises sailors to tie up boats and stay below deck.

Strong winds pose a threat by causing power outages from fallen trees and travel difficulties, especially for larger vehicles. These winds can uproot trees, and disrupt animal habitats, and are dangerous for people and the ecosystem.

The region is also seeing heavy rainfall, and when the wind and the rain combine, the Skokomish River is probably going to flood because the river is rising. Flood Watch has also been declared in Mason County, therefore demonstrating the importance of resilience flood management to flood prone areas.

Due to expected winds in the Cascade Range, a Blizzard Warning was issued as snow amounts of 12 inches and winds are expected, making the environmental situation even worse. Such occasion underlines the call for proper environmental protection strategies to counter the effects of weather extremes.