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5 things to know Tuesday

Severe weather ahead; Holiday travel impacts, Electrical substation attacks; Downtown staple reopens; Wildlife crossings
Credit: KING
Jonathon Barnett's car was crushed by a tree just outside his West Seattle home during a windstorm on Dec. 26, 2022.

Power companies preparing for severe weather this week

Thousands in western Washington experienced the aftermath of heavy rain and strong wind Monday morning and officials with Seattle City Light warn that could be just the beginning of what’s to come.

"There is more weather expected, and we are preparing for that,” said Jenn Strang, Seattle City Light media relations manager.

A Wind Advisory is in effect Tuesday for most of Puget Sound, the southwest interior, western Whatcom and Skagit counties and the San Juan Islands.

Crews with Seattle City Light are working to bring customers' power back and bracing for more severe weather.

"We make sure we have adequate staffing numbers, that all of our trucks are equipped adequately, that everything is in good working order and that we have enough material stocked," Strang said. Read more

Holiday travel delays, cancelations continue at Sea-Tac Airport

Travel headaches during the holiday rush aren't letting up as dangerously cold weather in Buffalo, New York has led to more than 3,900 flight cancelations nationwide on Monday.

Those cancelations are having a trickle-down effect at Sea-Tac International Airport as well.

There were at least 90 cancelations and 43 delays on Monday morning. Nationally, Southwest Airlines accounted for the majority of cancelations, canceling 67% of its scheduled flights, which was 2,725 cancelations. 

Some Sea-Tac passengers had their second or third canceled flight.

"So we started on the evening of the 22nd. We got into Seattle. It was supposed to be a two-hour layover and they canceled our flight saying it was due to fog in San Diego and the ice storm in Seattle and we've been here since," said passenger Daniel Clifford. Read more

Thousands left without power after four Pierce County substations attacked

At least 17,000 people were left without power after four substations were attacked in Pierce County on Christmas Day.

Two Tacoma Power utilities substations and one Puget Sound Energy (PSE) substation were vandalized Sunday morning. Another Puget Sound Energy substation was set on fire Sunday evening.

Power was restored to all Tacoma Public Utilities customers Monday. About 500 PSE customers remain without power Monday.

The sheriff's office is actively investigating but there are no suspects at this time.

Power companies and law enforcement said they will increase security around substations as early as this week. Read more

Downtown Seattle staple reopens after closing for 10 months due to crime concerns

Piroshky Piroshky, a Russian bakery on Third Avenue reopened after closing its doors for 10 months because of crime concerns. The bakery and customers hope it’s a positive sign for small businesses downtown.

Customers and familiar faces lined up at their beloved bakery in the heart of downtown Seattle. The shop is a front window to Third Avenue and had a firsthand look at the problems plaguing it.

“That’s why we closed 10 months ago, when we couldn’t handle it anymore," said owner Olga Sagan. "It’s just so bad."

Sagan said things are starting to feel different and safe enough to open its doors. 

“Hopeful and cautiously optimistic," Sagan said. "We’re hoping to be a part of the community again and to see our customers and to know their names." Read more

New wildlife crossings aim to reconnect animals isolated by I-90 to north Cascades

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) began Phase 3 construction this year on a 15-mile stretch of Interstate 90 between Hyak and Easton that will include new wildlife crossings.

The crossings will help reconnect animals with habitats they have been isolated from because of high traffic volumes on the interstate – joining existing crossing structures that have already had an impact on wildlife. 

Wildlife needs to move from place to place for a variety of reasons, including finding food, finding mates and rearing their young. When animals are cut off by a major highway, they can lose access to other breeding populations, running the risk of inbreeding. When animals lose genetic variability, that could impact their ability to withstand things like diseases and other environmental changes. Read more

RELATED: Western Washington Forecast

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