The wind gusts raking Renton Monday should diminish a bit this afternoon but will pick up again tonight and early Tuesday with gusts to 60 mph in Central Puget Sound.
As of about noon, there had been no power outages in Renton or any other weather-related problems in the city, according to officials.
The storm is not bringing a significant amount of rain. The Green River was running at about 1,000 cubic feet per second Monday morning at the gage in Auburn.
Renton’s forecast for Monday calls for rain, with a high near 57, according to the National Weather Service. Breezy, with gusts out of the southwest as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.
The forecast Monday night and into early Tuesday calls for rain and south winds between 28 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90 percent.
Winds will continue through Tuesday. After that, the winds will diminish, but the rain still stick around through the weekend, according to the weather service.
The American Red Cross offers the following tips on preparing for high winds and possible power outages:
BEFORE A STORM
• Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs.
• Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.
• During the storm, draw blinds and shades over windows. If windows break due to objects blown by the wind, the shades will prevent glass from shattering into your home.
POWER OUTAGE
• Assemble essential supplies, including: flashlight, batteries, portable radio, at least one gallon of water, and a small supply of food.
• Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Due to the extreme risk of fire, do not use candles during a power outage.
• Use the phone for emergencies only. Listening to a portable radio can provide the latest information. Do not call 9-1-1 for information – only call to report a life-threatening emergency.
• Do not run a generator inside a home or garage. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home’s electrical system.
• Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out. Leave one light on so you know when the power comes back on.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.
• If you use medication that requires refrigeration, most can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with your physician or pharmacist.
• Stay focused on the risks of smoke and carbon monoxide. Buy a carbon monoxide alarm if you do not already have one. They are available at most hardware stores. If you have one, check the battery to make sure it is working. If the alarm sounds: get to fresh air by going outside. Contact the fire department before you go back inside your home.
