High Wind — Western Whatcom, Washington

1997-03-30 · Western Whatcom, Washington

Wider weather episode

Two deaths were reported from a wind storm that hit on Easter Sunday. One woman was killed when a tree fell on the pickup truck her husband was driving. Another man died when his canoe overturned in the winds and seas on Burley Lagoon off of Puget Sound. Many other boaters on Puget Sound needed rescuing, although a gale warning was issued at 830 pm the night before. About 160,000 customers lost power in the storm and 3 houses were damaged from fallen trees. In Jefferson County up to 40 roads were blocked and part of a 130 year old tree was knocked over. Peak winds reported were: On the coast, Westport, 71 mph; Hoquiam, 60 mph. Puget Sound, Hood Canal Bridge, 71 mph; West Point, 64 mph; Bangor 68 mph. In the Northwest Interior, Point Wilson, 82 mph; Burlington and Smith Island, 71 mph; Bellingham, 60 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5596632. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.