Windstorm topples trees, closes highways, cuts power to thousands

After a similar windstorm cut power to thousands last week, another windstorm hit the area on Monday, toppling trees that blocked roads and cut power to thousands of customers.

In addition to trees falling onto highways and power lines, a tree fell onto a woman in Fall City Monday morning, killing her, according to Eastside Fire & Rescue.

At the height of the high winds, more than 40,000 customers were without power. Since then, the outages dropped as the winds calmed down.

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Fallen trees caused road closures

All lanes in both directions of State Route 18 between Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast and Interstate 90 were closed due to fallen trees.

In Pacific, fallen trees caused a crash that blocked the right lane of northbound SR 167 at Stewart Road Southeast.

We’re chasing the windy weather today and the damage it’s causing in our area. A power pole is down in Kent on West Valley Hwy at S 190th St. The road is closed and there’s no estimate for when it will reopen. @KIRO7Seattle @MorganKIRO7 pic.twitter.com/blVBC7ZItm
— Bridget Chavez (@BridgetChavezTV) January 9, 2023

Multiple fallen trees blocked both directions of State Route 706 near the Elbe east city limits.

Fallen trees blocked State Route 410 at milepost 41.

Trees and power lines that fell onto roads were also reported in North Bend, Renton, Kent, Tukwila and Burien.

A transformer fire was reported in Bellevue.

Engine 109 is on scene of a transformer fire in 11600 block of SE 80th St. Part of the power pole has broken. The street has been closed for safety & @PSETalk has been notified. It’s likely the power will be out in the area for a bit. pic.twitter.com/KlAzACuBCG
— Bellevue Fire Dept (@BvueFD) January 9, 2023

All lanes are closed on Oaksdale Avenue SW at SW 27th Street from a downed tree. Our street maintenance crews are on-site. pic.twitter.com/ndrELs7E6d
— City of Renton (@CityofRenton) January 9, 2023