Storm system rakes Northwest, killing 2

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Storm system rakes Northwest, killing 2

Two people have died after an unusually strong storm system moved through the Northwest, bringing down trees and causing power outages.

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KING-TV, Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. 11:02 a.m. EDT August 31, 2015

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Two people have died after an unusually strong storm system moved through the Northwest, bringing down trees and causing power outages. VPC

Lake Stevens(Photo: Mysti Lopez)

SEATTLE — Two people have died after an unusually strong storm system moved through the Northwest, bringing down trees and causing power outages.

Gig Harbor Police report that a man died when a tree fell onto his car. The man, who was not identified, was driving home from a trip to Costco with his 3-year-old daughter in the backseat. The girl was not hurt.

In Federal Way, a 10-year-old girl was playing outside a friend's home when a branch fell and hit her. Neighbors called 911 and started CPR. Emergency crews arrived and continued CPR, but the girl was declared dead at the scene.

Puget Sound Energy estimated 224,000 customers without power. Three other Seattle area utilities had 240,000 customers without power between them.

Puget Sound Energy warned Seattle Seahawks fans whose power was out that they may want to make alternative plans for the NFL game. "We'll keep working until everyone is restored," they said via Twitter.

A high wind warning was in effect for the Puget Sound region until 6 p.m. PT.

Gusts to 50 mph were recorded on the SR 520 bridge, which connects Seattle with suburbs to the east. The Department of Transportation says the criteria for closing the floating bridge over Lake Washington to traffic and opening the draw span is 50 mph gusts sustained for 15 minutes. When a 40 mph gust is sustained for one minute, a warning alarm calls crews to the bridge for inspection and monitoring.

Opening the drawspan relieves stress on the bridge structure. During a windstorm the force of the waves pushes north on the floating span, twisting and rocking the structure, making the bridge vulnerable to damage. When the drawspan is opened some of the force is released, allowing the bridge structure to relax.

The Department of Transportation reported "too many storm closures on state routes in the Seattle area to list."

Olympic National Park closed all campgrounds and roads into the park because of multiple trees being down.

Meadowdale (Photo: Scott)

More than an inch of rain fell at Forks, .72 inches at Bremerton and more than a half-inch in Shelton.

In Eastern Washington, a dust storm caused the closure of Interstate 90 from Vantage to five miles east of George.

Winds were expected to die down overnight, but more heavy rain is expected.

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Storm system rakes Northwest, killing 2

31

Share This Story!Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about

Storm system rakes Northwest, killing 2

Two people have died after an unusually strong storm system moved through the Northwest, bringing down trees and causing power outages.

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KING-TV, Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. 11:02 a.m. EDT August 31, 2015

UP NEXT

03

Two people have died after an unusually strong storm system moved through the Northwest, bringing down trees and causing power outages. VPC

Lake Stevens(Photo: Mysti Lopez)

SEATTLE — Two people have died after an unusually strong storm system moved through the Northwest, bringing down trees and causing power outages.

Gig Harbor Police report that a man died when a tree fell onto his car. The man, who was not identified, was driving home from a trip to Costco with his 3-year-old daughter in the backseat. The girl was not hurt.

In Federal Way, a 10-year-old girl was playing outside a friend's home when a branch fell and hit her. Neighbors called 911 and started CPR. Emergency crews arrived and continued CPR, but the girl was declared dead at the scene.

Puget Sound Energy estimated 224,000 customers without power. Three other Seattle area utilities had 240,000 customers without power between them.

Puget Sound Energy warned Seattle Seahawks fans whose power was out that they may want to make alternative plans for the NFL game. "We'll keep working until everyone is restored," they said via Twitter.

A high wind warning was in effect for the Puget Sound region until 6 p.m. PT.

Gusts to 50 mph were recorded on the SR 520 bridge, which connects Seattle with suburbs to the east. The Department of Transportation says the criteria for closing the floating bridge over Lake Washington to traffic and opening the draw span is 50 mph gusts sustained for 15 minutes. When a 40 mph gust is sustained for one minute, a warning alarm calls crews to the bridge for inspection and monitoring.

Opening the drawspan relieves stress on the bridge structure. During a windstorm the force of the waves pushes north on the floating span, twisting and rocking the structure, making the bridge vulnerable to damage. When the drawspan is opened some of the force is released, allowing the bridge structure to relax.

The Department of Transportation reported "too many storm closures on state routes in the Seattle area to list."

Olympic National Park closed all campgrounds and roads into the park because of multiple trees being down.

Meadowdale (Photo: Scott)

More than an inch of rain fell at Forks, .72 inches at Bremerton and more than a half-inch in Shelton.

In Eastern Washington, a dust storm caused the closure of Interstate 90 from Vantage to five miles east of George.

Winds were expected to die down overnight, but more heavy rain is expected.

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