Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Windows rattled, branches crashed on rooftops and trees fell on roadways Friday when a fierce windstorm, accompanied by sideways rain, blew through the region.

Meteorologists reported a wind gust of 59 mph at Paine Field, Edmonds Community College shut down at about 5:20 p.m. due to a power outage, and Mukilteans watched as all of Whidbey Island went dark shortly after.

While local officials reported that Mukilteo escaped major problems, there was plenty keeping police, fire and public works crews busy.

Over the course of the evening downed trees were reported at 4700 73rd St. SW, 9800 Harbour Place, Mukilteo Speedway at 76th Street SW, Harbour Heights Parkway At 58th Avenue W, 6600 St. Andrews Drive, and 1300 Goat Trail Road.

Andrea Swisstack, Mukilteo's interim Public Works director, said some of her crew worked into the evening dealing with downed trees and branches blocking streets, and making sure storm drains were clear.

She said they also were repairing a number of street signs that had been blown down. However, no flooding problems were reported.

"We were pretty lucky," Swisstack said. "Most of our flooding issues come in the fall."

Still, Public Works has a list of "hot spots" that they check both before and during winter storms, she said. "It's typically areas where we've had issues in the past."

In cases where city officials aren't aware of problems, residents can go to the City's website at mukilteowa.gov, where they'll find a link called "Fix It Public Works!" that provides an easy way to communicate issues, including drainage problems, graffiti, park maintenance, snow plowing, street sweeping, potholes, traffic congestion and more.

At Lighthouse Park, police reported a fishing boat tied up to a log at the south end. Police spokesman Myron Travis said Mukilteo officers were not involved in what reportedly was a rescue operation. A U.S. Coast Guard official said they were not involved either.

But according to an eyewitness, the boat was being manned by a fisherman from the Tulalip Tribes who had been near the south end of Whidbey Island when the craft began taking on water during the rough storm.

With assistance, he was able to make it as far as Lighthouse Park where he was forced to tie it up. The witness said he came ashore in a survival suit. By high tide Saturday, the boat was swamped.

Don't expect any relief soon. It's winter in the Northwest. In January, the only day without some precipitation was New Year's Day.

Meteorologists said a series of storms will blow through in the next several days, with 100% chance of rain today and 80% tomorrow.

But hang on. Partial sunshine is forecast this Sunday, and with no football excuses left, that will be a golden opportunity to get outside and breathe some fresh air for a change.