SEATTLE — Morning commuters should expect delays due to downed trees across the Puget Sound region closing roads and impacting public transit. This is due to a major wind storm resulting from a bomb cyclone which formed off of Washington's coast.
The Washington State Department of Transportation advised morning commuters to give themselves extra time to reach their destination because traffic will be impacted all over the region.
Sound Transit advised that link light rail service will begin at 7 a.m. instead of 5 a.m. Wednesday morning to give overnight crews time to clear storm debris and inspect systems before opening for service. Riders are asked to follow service alerts for the latest info.
King County Metro said bus service will be affected by the storm, but said they are still assessing routes Wednesday morning. A tree fell on a King County Metro bus Tuesday night. The driver was uninjured and the bus was empty at the time.
In the daylight, Metro supervisors will decide where buses will be rerouted. Riders are advised to keep an eye on service alerts.
State Route 18 is closed in Issaquah between Interstate 90 and Issaquah-Hobart Road, and has been closed since Tuesday night due to downed trees. The Washington State Department of Transportation advised that there is no estimated time that road will reopen, and asked drivers to use alternate routes.
Northbound Interstate 405 was closed for a time on Tuesday night after a tree fell and blocked lanes. That blockage was cleared at around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday morning.