SEATTLE — Now is the time to prepare ahead of the potential for rain, winds, and mountain snow.
Strong winds could push into the region over the coming days, and experts are urging you to tie or anchor down any loose items outside. This includes holiday decorations that could be prone to flying away.
Snow could impact your holiday travel plans if you’re planning to drive through the mountain passes over the coming days.
“We’re out there and we are prepared,” said Lauren Loebsack, Communications Manager for Washington Department of Transportation’s North Central Region. “Our crews will swarm to the storm.”
Loebsack said there could be drivers traveling through the passes to return to work on Thursday as well.
While WSDOT crews can help clear snow off the roads, there is always the potential for road closures out of their control, such as when a car spins out or crashes, or when crews need to come work on avalanche control.
“Make sure that you can be somewhere or be warm in your vehicle for several hours, and be prepared to wait that out,” she said.
Loebsack encouraged drivers to travel with warm clothes and blankets in their cars, as well as water and snacks. You should also make sure you have a full tank of gas in case you need to be in your car with the heat on for a long period of time.
Prepare yourself at home in case your power goes out too, as outages can always be possible with strong winds.
“Lanterns nearby, iPhones steady and we have a wood stove if we need to,” said Bryan Croeni, a resident on Vashon Island.
It’s a good idea to have portable chargers and flashlights ready too.
Whatever the weather brings, most people that KIRO 7 crews spoke to said they refused to let it rain on their holiday parade.
“We have to celebrate, whatever the wind is, the weather is,” said Mina Saleb in Everett. “We have to celebrate the Christmastime.”
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