Here are some new photos of crews final clearing efforts to reopen US 101 to all traffic today.

Highway 101 reopened between 104 intersection and Hoodsport

Nearly 50-mile stretch had been closed since Sunday night

SHINE — A nearly 50-mile section of U.S. Highway 101 between the intersection with state Highway 104 and Hoodsport was reopened to through traffic at 1:30 p.m. Thursday after a snow and wind storm closed it Sunday night.

Now agencies are switching attention to the possibilities of more snow and wind gusts in East Jefferson County as well as a new threat, especially in Clallam and Mason counties — flooding.

Crews with public utility districts in Jefferson and Mason counties and with the state Department of Transportation removed fallen trees and debris and plowed snow to clear Highway 101.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Maintenance crews “estimated in the hundreds” the number of trees that had fallen on power lines during the storm, Tina Werner, DOT spokesperson, said Thursday.

Predictions of freezing rain and additional snow had day and night crews pre-treating the highway on Thursday and overnight into today, Werner said.

They also are making sure catch basins are clear in light of rain forecasts adding to snow melt.

“We’re monitoring for flooding now,” Werner said. “We’re doing everything we can to keep our highways open and clear” amid “serious standing water concerns.”

According to the National Weather Service, the heaviest rainfall through Saturday is predicted for Clallam County, especially on the West End.

“The Bogachiel River will be one of primary concern during the watch period,” the National Weather Service said.

Minor flooding is expected along the Hood Canal around high tide, the weather service said.

Will O’Donnell, Jefferson PUD spokesperson, said flooding is more of a concern in Mason and Clallam counties this weekend.

What is most worrisome in Jefferson County are predictions of high winds.

Gusty winds are likely on the western edge of Admiralty Inlet, the weather service said.

The gusts could blow around unsecured objects and blow down tree limbs.

“We could be in for more outages,” O’Donnell said. “We hope not.”

Jefferson County PUD reported a peak of 3,000 people who had lost electrical power in Sunday’s storm.

By 3 p.m. Thursday, the outages were down to 83 customers, mostly on the Toandos Peninsula, which was the hardest hit by the storm.

Those are not likely to have power restored until today or perhaps even Saturday because of additional snow that fell overnight Wednesday, O’Donnell said Thursday.

“There is so much snow and so many lines down,” O’Donnell said, adding that, with several inches of new snow, some areas of the Toandos Peninsula had a total of a foot and half.

Mason County PUD 1, which serves Brinnon at the southern edge of East Jefferson County, had expected having all customers back online by Thursday.

Many public schools on the Peninsula — including Port Angeles, Sequim and Quilcene — delayed the first class on Thursday because of icy roads, and Brinnon remained closed as it has been since Monday.

Off the Peninsula, Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascades was closed Thursday due to high avalanche danger, zero visibility and blowing, drifting snow.

Stevens Pass on U.S. 2 was also closed due to heavy snow.

Snow and ice closed Blewett Pass on U.S. 97.

Heavy rain and snowmelt brought flooding concerns in western Washington and Oregon as the latest atmospheric river moved into the region, according to The Associated Press.

The National Weather Service said Yakima could get 6 to 8 inches of snow through 4 p.m. today, with Ellensburg possibly getting up to a foot.

Steve Bodnar, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane, said Wenatchee could receive 20 inches of snow Thursday, with nearby Leavenworth receiving 22.5 inches.

At least 4 inches of snow fell early Thursday in Spokane, and the snow was expected to turn to freezing rain by Thursday afternoon, the Weather Service said.

Numerous school districts in Spokane County canceled classes Thursday, while others delayed the start of classes.

________

Executive Editor Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3530 or at lleach@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Family members of the late Mike McAleer, from left, McAleer’s wife, Shannon Burke, son Michael McAleer and daughter Colleen McAleer, accept the Clallam Economic Development Council’s Olympic Leader Award at Friday’s annual EDC Gala at 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Former volunteer named Olympic Leader at EDC gala

Mike McAleer served on boards, provided support

Jefferson County discusses rules for rental units

Public comments to be accepted through Friday

U.S. Rep. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, speaks about current issues during a town hall meeting on Saturday in the Little Theater at Peninsula College in Port Angeles. Several hundred people attended, including an overflow audience in the Pirate Union Building. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Town hall

U.S. Rep. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, speaks about current issues during a town… Continue reading

Firefighters rescue woman from house fire

Firefighters and neighbors rescued a woman and three dogs following… Continue reading

Firefighters from East Jefferson Fire Rescue extinguished an RV fire early Monday morning on Marrowstone Island. (East Jefferson Fire Rescue)
Firefighters put out RV fire on Marrowstone Island

East Jefferson Fire Rescue extinguished an RV fire in… Continue reading

Soroptimist International of Sequim’s Medical Loan Closet seeks a business or community organization that can take advantage of its nonprofit status to provide it with an 800- to 1,000-square-foot space. (Soroptimist International of Sequim)
Soroptimists seek partner for Medical Loan Closet

Soroptimist International of Sequim’s Medical Loan Closet has provided free… Continue reading

x
Shop With a Hero program partners with Mariners

The Clallam County Shop With a Hero team has… Continue reading

Celebrations set this week for World Water Day

The Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition and the Earth Law… Continue reading

Forum to discuss Charter Review Commission

The Clallam County Democrats will host a forum on… Continue reading

Jeannine Vaughn of Carlsborg looks a gems and jewelry at a display table operated by Steve Morgan of Joyce-based Lil’ Log Cabin Creations on Saturday at the Clallam County Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show at Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The show, hosted by the Clallam County Gem & Mineral Association, brought together rock enthusiasts with vendor booths and demonstrations highlighting the hobby. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Gem show

Jeannine Vaughn of Carlsborg looks a gems and jewelry at a display… Continue reading

Sequim City Council members will discuss March 24 how the city’s Fourth of July fireworks display, pictured in 2022, impacts wildlife and residents. Local advocates made the request to council members in February to stop the fireworks display and move the drone show away from wildlife habitat at Carrie Blake Community Park. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Sequim City Council to discuss fireworks

Grassroots group advocates for changes

Interact Club members fill jugs and buckets in the Dungeness River for the annual Walk for Water event on March 1. They walk about 4 miles roundtrip to symbolize how far some people must go for drinking water. They raised more than $5,000 to help build a well in a Ghana village. (John Pehrson)
Sequim High students raise money through Walk for Water

Interact Club helps fund another well in Ghana