Western Washington hit with more snow, wind, power outages

PORT ANGELES, Wash. (AP) — Another winter storm brought more snow to Western Washington through Wednesday morning, dropping more than a foot of snow on parts of the Olympic Peninsula.

The Seattle metro area didn't see much new snow but many schools, including those in Seattle, remain delayed or closed because of lingering snow and ice.

Reports from Port Angeles ranged up to 20 inches of snow. North of Seattle, Mount Vernon tallied 8 inches of snow while Anacortes recorded 12.

Scattered power outages were reported throughout Western Washington including one that stopped chairlifts from running temporarily at Crystal Mountain ski area Wednesday. More than 26,000 customers were without electricity late Wednesday afternoon as winds increased, according to Puget Sound Energy and the Snohomish Public Utility District.

Some of those customers live in areas along U.S. Highway 2 near Stevens Pass, where downed trees and power lines have largely closed the highway since Sunday.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday afternoon on Twitter that the state Emergency Management Division was bringing food, water and fuel to that area between Gold Bar and Skykomish and that they were also offering voluntary evacuations for those who wish to leave.

Patience was wearing thin for some residents in those areas Tuesday night, KING-TV reported.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 10," said Baring resident Charlie Preston. “It's hell.”

Skykomish Fire Chief James Knisley said Wednesday that he expected power to be out for a long time and that an emergency shelter was being set up at the school in town.

"Some places have over three feet of snow and people can't get out of their houses. If people need help they need to ask and we'll do everything we can to assist - there are people willing to help," he told KOMO-TV.

Inslee said he was closely following the situation and that he and his staff had talked with mayors and other local leaders there.

“We will work to provide whatever these communities need. The safety of Washingtonians in this region is paramount,” he tweeted.

The state Department of Transportation opened portions of U.S. 2 on Wednesday for local access up to Skykomish while the highway from Skykomish to Stevens Pass remained closed because of power lines across the roadway, officials said.

Winter weather advisories were in effect for parts of western Oregon through Wednesday evening, with many schools delayed because of concerns about icy roads. Oregon Department of Transportation officials warned of limited visibility and high winds on roads in the eastern part of the state Wednesday.