Windstorm hits Puget Sound

Today's anticipated afternoon windstorm has rolled into Puget Sound, and gusts have already forced the closure of the Hood Canal Bridge and caused numerous sporadic power outages around the region. Winds are currently averaging between 45-55 miles per hour in major cities such as Olympia, Seattle, and Everett.

30,000 Seattle City Light customers are without power. Thousands of Puget Sound Energy customers are also without power - more than 100,000 homes are without power as of this evening. Here's a map of the outages:



Strong winds are buffeting the State Route 520 bridge - nearly 60 miles per hour. The DOT may close the bridge, so keep that in mind. If you haven't left work and usually take the floating bridge to get home, your best bet is Interstate 90.



Also note that the Department of Transportation says State Route 531 in Arlington is closed in both directions due to downed power lines and trees.

King County has closed the Factoria Transfer Station indefinitely for the same reasons. The Bellevue facility will reopen once power is restored.

The storm is striking further south than initially expected, causing outages throughout Olympia and Lacey, according to radio reports.