SEATTLE - Jack Neschke watched with relief as crews chainsawed, then wrestled down, a huge tree limb. He feels it's better to cut it down than have high winds launch it through his South Seattle roof.
"Its bittersweet," said crew manager Reese Hinkle, whose company has a subcontract with Seattle City Light to clear power lines.
Hinkle says predictions of rough weather mean his crew is on standby to respond to emergency power outage calls. He says his crew is happy to have the work, but often in the middle of the night, their thoughts are with their own families sitting in the dark at home.
City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco said crews are ready so that if the upcoming storms causes any outages, they can restore power as quickly as possible.
"Even so, we want our customers to be prepared in the event of an outage. It's always a good time to put together an emergency preparedness kit with enough food and supplies to last your family for at least three days," he said.
The National Weather Service says another strong Pacific storm will hit Washington Wednesday night and Thursday.
Forecasters issued a high wind warning for the coast and northwest interior Wednesday afternoon for 25 mph to 40 mph winds with gusts to 60. They issued a wind advisory for central Puget Sound and the lower Chehalis Valley for 20 mph to 30 mph winds with gusts to 50 mph.
A winter storm warning was issued for the Olympics and Cascades with a winter storm watch for the east slopes, including the Wenatchee area. One to two feet of new snow may fall on the central Cascades.
Expecting heavy rain, the Weather Service issued flood watches for Grays Harbor, Lewis, Thurston, Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Meanwhile, a spokesman with Seattle Public Utilities reports he is watching the weather forecast carefully, as always. However, since the National Weather Service has predicted no urban flooding, SPU crews are not on heightened alert.
Other winter prep tips are available at: www.takewinterbystorm.org
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