The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a wind advisory that may impact parts of King County, including North Bend and Snoqualmie, from 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, through 4 a.m. on Thursday, January 5.
NWS predicts east winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts up to 55 miles per hour. Winds of this magnitude could cause tree limbs to fall, and local power outages may occur. Both cities’ Public Works Departments actively monitor weather forecasts as they evolve while crews continue to remove downed trees and clear debris from the December snow and ice weather events.
In advance of a windstorm, there are measures you can take to help ensure your property is secure, increasing safety for yourself and your neighbors.
- Check shingles, siding, and gutters. Walk around your home and visually inspect exterior siding, gutters, downspouts, and shingles. Binoculars can be a helpful tool in obtaining a better view. If you see anything out of the ordinary or causing concerns, consider getting a roof inspection.
- Trim trees. Significant damage often comes from surrounding landscaping. Remove overhanging and weak limbs and branches from trees. Keep an eye out for trees that look weak and unhealthy.
- Identify your home’s vulnerable areas. Perform an in-depth, visual sweep of both the interior and exterior of your home, looking for areas that are most prone to wind damage, such as your roof, windows, siding, doors, and gutters. Bring in outdoor furniture, garbage cans, or any loose objects in your yard that could blow away.
- Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by staying indoors. The safest place to be during high winds is indoors. Postpone outdoor activities if a wind advisory or high wind warning has been issued.
Power outages often accompany windstorms. The Puget Sound Energy outage map is a helpful tool to assess when power may be restored to local areas and neighborhoods. That map can be found HERE. Residents can also download the myPSE app for outage and account information.
Follow the National Weather Service’s forecast and weather advisories by visiting www.weather.gov and searching for the 98045-zip code.
[Information provided by the City of North Bend]
