Marysville and Arlington officials said their cities were prepared for the first major wind and rain storm of the season that was expected to drop a pre-Halloween scare on the region.
The National Weather Service in Seattle issued a high wind watch for Oct. 13-14. Southerly winds of 20 to 35 mph are expected with gusts up to 55 mph and a few isolated areas in north Puget Sound reaching 60 mph.
Forecasters said that storm was a warmup for another one expected to hit the region Oct. 15. That storm, the remnants of Pacific typhoon Songda, threatens to be one of the more-memorable ones in recent history, bringing severe winds and flooding.
With rain up to 3 inches expected over several days in the Marysville-Arlington area, the Natural Weather Service said the potential is high for widespread power outages. The early season storm makes many trees susceptible to damage because many haven’t shed their leaves. Broken limbs, fallen trees and leaf-clogged storm drains are expected.
Arlington Public Works Director Jim Kelly said the city is confident it can handle any damage.
Public Works crews are making sure that the city’s storm water systems and drainage facilities are fully operational, and clearing leaves off catch basins to prevent ponding of water on roadways.
They also have opened up the bypass at Arlington’s “Old Town” to divert more water – about 80 percent – into the Stillaguamish River instead of overpowering the wetland, Kelly said. Doing so will reduce adverse effects on farms in the flood plain northwest of town.
Public Works also installed a new pump at 59th Avenue and 172nd Street near Crown Distributing south of Arlington Municipal Airport to better manage water that collects on roadways because there is nowhere else for it to drain.
The city as part of annual maintenance this time of year trims tree limbs along sidewalks and right of way, Kelly said.
Public Works maintenance crews also topped off the 17 emergency generators that provide backup power for lift stations, wells and reservoirs, and fixtures at the airport.
Marysville Public Works has been training, reviewing and preparing resources, equipment and themselves to be prepared for this storm and future adverse weather conditions.
“I think we’re better prepared for this storm since it’s been forecasted so well in advance, Marysville Streets Manager Paul Kinney said.
Public Works crews have made sure emergency generators are fueled at all sewer lift station, city wells and reservoirs. Emergency storm water pumps are activated, including one that protects the Public Works Building. Checks on water levels in the city’s storm water detention ponds are monitored on occasion during the year but will be watched more closely during the storm.
City officials don’t ask residents to clear debris blocking the city-maintained 9,976 public catch basins along streets, but if homeowners and business owners choose to help a shovel or broom can help prevent flooding.
Public Works Superintendent Doug Byde said chain saws have been topped off at the maintenance shop to be prepared if fallen trees, branches and other debris become a danger or obstruction to the public. The fall and winter months are typically the time of year when crews conduct tree trimming.
Heavy rains will continue over the next few days. A Flood Watch – a step down from a Flood Warning – is in effect for the Stillaguamish River.
Saturday’s storm has been compared to the October 1962 Columbus Day storm. That storm, nicknamed “The Terrible Tempest of the 12th,” was the most powerful windstorm to strike the Pacific Northwest in the 20th century. Snohomish County saw peak winds speeds of up to 90 mph, according to the National Climatic Data Center.
PUD officials encourage customers to have ready an emergency preparedness kit in the event of power outages. Here are some basic essentials for a 3- to 5-day outage:
* Non-perishable food that needs little or no cooking.
* Blankets and pillows
* Portable, battery-powered radio and clock
* Flashlights, with extra batteries
* Manual can opener, bottle opener and utility knife
* First aid kit
* Bottled water
* Candles
* Matches in a waterproof container or a lighter
* Phone charger for a car
For more information, visit Snohomish PUD at http://snopud.com.
