Jefferson County officials are keeping an eye on the clock tower over their historical courthouse as the Peninsula braces for a strong, windy storm today.

Winds of around 40 mph — with gusts equaling a freeway’s speed limit — are expected to sweep across the Peninsula by this afternoon.

The National Weather Service says residents should take precautions in case of power failures and other mayhem that could be caused by the winds.

At Washington state’s oldest courthouse still in use, Jefferson County officials will start getting jittery over the clock tower.

A structural defect in the masonry was discovered in the late 1990s, and engineers fear that it cannot withstand sustained winds of about 80 mph.

County Administrator David Goldsmith said officials will institute a Level 2 alert at the courthouse when sustained winds reach 45 mph to 60 mph.

A Level 2 alert means officials will monitor weather reports. Today’s forecast by the weather service, issued Thursday evening, predicts sustained winds of about 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph for most of the Peninsula by late this morning (Friday).

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