Community Environment

Storm, tides made for a weird weather Wednesday

High winds swept through Western Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 18, as a Pacific storm system moved across the region. The National Weather Service recorded the highest wind gust at 90 mph on Crystal Mountain, near Mount Rainier. Tacoma recorded gusts of 60 mph. 

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Water spilled into Skansie Brothers Park during high tide Wednesday, Dec. 18. Photo by Julie Warrick Ammann

Peninsula Light reported about 11,000 customers were without power across its service area early Wednesday morning. By Wednesday evening, just a handful of customers remained in the dark.

Tidal waters rose below the Netshed at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor. The King Tide reached 13.3 feet shortly after 8:15 a.m., but no major flooding was reported. That was just below the 13.47 level on Tuesday, according to NOAA.

Precipitation is expected to ease as the week concludes, with a more active weather pattern developing later in the weekend and continuing into the holiday next week,  according to the National Weather Service.

Wind damage on Crescent Valley Road near 113th Street NW early on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Photo by Chapin Day