Whatcom County is currently grappling with severe weather conditions, leading to widespread power outages and heavy rainfall. The impact has been significant, affecting thousands of Puget Sound Energy customers.
Power Outages and Weather Advisories
On Monday morning, strong south winds gusting over 40 mph caused power outages for approximately 500 customers in the Geneva area around 6:30 a.m. Classes at Geneva Elementary were canceled due to these outages. By 9:30 a.m., power was restored to nearly all customers, leaving around 35 homes without electricity.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued several advisories due to the potential for more outages in Bellingham and rural areas of Whatcom County. A wind advisory spanning from late Sunday night to Monday evening warned of sustained winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching 45 to 50 mph.
Flood Watch and Rain Forecast
Rainfall in Whatcom County is expected to be substantial, with forecasts predicting up to 1.5 inches in the lowlands and 2 to 4 inches in the North Cascades below 7,500 feet. The NWS has placed Whatcom County under a flood watch, although projections indicate that the Nooksack River is not expected to reach flood stage this week.
- Whatcom County is under a flood watch.
- Up to 1.5 inches of rain expected in lowlands.
- North Cascades could see 2 to 4 inches of rain.
Effects of Saturated Ground
The ground conditions, saturated from previous heavy rains, may exacerbate the situation. The NWS warned of increased risks for landslides in Western Washington as nearly 4 inches of rain fell in the past week. Additionally, a winter storm warning has been issued for the mountains from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, with snow levels dropping to around 3,000 to 4,000 feet.
Current Conditions and Future Impacts
Currently, temperatures in Whatcom County are expected to dip into the mid-40s during the day and into the 30s at night by the end of the week. The Nooksack River is gradually receding from flooding experienced last week, and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management continues to monitor the situation from its Emergency Operations Center.
Residents are advised to remain cautious as severe weather conditions persist in the region, with potential further impacts anticipated in the coming days.
