I have no idea how I haven’t noticed the torrential storm that’s been brewing outside my window, but a severe rainstorm has hit Western Washington and Northern Oregon. Above is an image of an overturned semi in Astoria, Oregon on the Megler Bridge that connects to Megler, Washington. Winds of up to 100mph tossed the semi onto its side. The bridge is currently closed.

A few other images show flooding and severe winds around the rest of Western Washington, including in Seattle:

Flooding in the city of Port Townsend, Washington.

Some streets in the Seattle area, including the Mountlake Terrace area above, have reported several inches to a foot of flooding.

A tree topples over onto a car in Lacey, Washington.

The storm is affecting a wide area in the Northwest, with things expecting to calm down later into this evening. As I write this, my power is flickering on and off and my dogs are huddled into a shivering pile because of the wind. Though not nearly as destructive as a hurricane or as violent as Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast, I’m recommending you Northwesterners to have a safe commute home, expect a lot of traffic and stay in until this crazy wind and rain dies down. Windgusts are reportedly strongest near the coast, where they are reaching speeds of 60-80mph. Inland, it’s the rain that’s really messing everything up, which is ironic considering how much it rains here. November 19th is infamous, however, for rainfall, as it has rained 88 times out of the past 120 years on this day.

Anyway, stay safe, my babies! I’m out.

via komonews