Associated Press - November 17, 2009 1:55 AM ET
SEATTLE (AP) - The National Weather Service says winds gusting to 70 mph have rocked Hoquiam on the Washington coast while a 51-mph gust was reported in Bellingham as a strong weather system moved through Western Washington. The storm has also brought heavy rainfall and flooding. Meteorologist Dana Felton says major flooding is reported along the Skokomish River in Mason County.
Meteorologist Doug McDonnal says the strongest winds are being felt on the coast and in the northwest interior, including the Bellingham area, Whidbey Island and the San Juans. The Puget Sound area has been braced for winds of 25-35 mph with gusts to 55.
KING-TV reports the storm knocked out power to about 10,000 people in the Sumner area and another 9,000 in Grays Harbor County. Other scattered outages have been reported.
Nearly four inches of rain has fallen in 24 hours in Forks, on the Olympic Peninsula, with Hoquiam reporting 2 inches, Shelton at 1.73 inches and Port Angeles measuring 1.45 inches.
Minor flooding has been forecast for a handful of other Western Washington rivers.
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