WASHINGTON, USA — High winds which swept the region Tuesday night are still impacting commuters Wednesday morning.
The National Weather Service recorded peak winds of nearly 70 miles per hour on the peninsula early Wednesday morning, with the peak speed in Hoquiam reaching 68 mph. Olympia reached a peak speed of 54, Whidbey Island reached a peak speed of 56 and Bellingham saw windspeeds in the mid-40s, reaching 47 mph.
Washington State Ferries warned that high winds could impact service on all routes Wednesday. Ferry passengers should be prepared for disruptions or cancellations, particularly on the San Juan Islands/Anacortes route and the Port Townsend/Coupeville routes.
However, WSF said all routes could potentially see impacts, including a "bumpy ride" due to choppy waters. To help stabilize the vessels, boats may load to full capacity and operate at slower speeds. Riders are encouraged to stay up to date with travel alerts.
The Washington State Department of Transportation reported downed trees on state Route 507, which blocked the road in both directions between Tenino and Rainier. There were also downed trees on US 101 near milepost 109, but those were cleared around 4:30 a.m.