More than 500,000 people in the Pacific Northwest lost power Wednesday morning as gusts exceeding 100 mph knocked down trees across the region.
High winds hammering the Pacific Northwest early Wednesday morning gusted well over 100 mph, knocking out power to more than 650,000 consumers in several states.
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Trees and power lines were reported down across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho early Wednesday. Many schools in the region have announced delayed or cancelled openings due to inclement weather.
Strong winds toppled over large trees in Twin Falls County, Idaho, injuring two children critically, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
I-5 was closed near the Pierce-Thurston County line south of Seattle because of electricity lines on the road. KING5 also reported that a tow vehicle on its way to assist a motorist was struck by a fallen tree and that many schools in the vicinity were closed or delayed due to the weather.
Around 8 a.m. PST on Wednesday, two semi-trucks were blown over on Interstate 90 near Medical Lake, Washington. The Washington State Department of Transportation stated that U.S. Route 12 in White Pass, Washington, was blocked due to many trees falling on the route.
According to Aberdeen, Washington, police, a building partially fell in East Wishkah due to heavy winds.
The region’s greatest wind gusts were 142 mph at Coldwater Ridge in Washington and 138 mph at Mount Hood in Oregon.
The greatest gust recorded in Idaho was 91 mph at Shirrod Hill.
Strong winds will stretch across a huge swath of the Rockies and Plains states from Wednesday to Thursday, blowing down trees and power lines and even toppling high-profile vehicles. Wind gusts greater than 100 mph are conceivable in Montana.
Due to severe winds, power will be turned off to around 50,000 customers in areas of Colorado on Wednesday at 10 a.m. MST.
