In Focus: Fallen trees block Interstate 5 in Lewis County

“At approximately 8:50 p.m., this was the sight on Interstate 5 near milepost 68 that led to the freeway being closed,” Washington State Patrol Trooper Dakota Russell wrote in an email to The Chronicle on Saturday night, shortly agter trees fell over the freeway and blocked traffic for hours. At the time, Russell said he wasn’t sure how many vehicles were involved. The Washington State Patrol had not released a news release about the incident as of Monday afternoon. According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, “active weather” will continue in Western Washington through Tuesday. “Multiple weather systems will continue to impact western Washington Monday into Tuesday,” the National Weather Service wrote Sunday. “This will result in continuous periods of lowland rain, higher elevation mountain snow, gusty winds, and high surf. Rain for most areas will arrive Monday morning, with the heaviest rain being focused in the Olympics. Another round of widespread rain arrives Tuesday morning. Southerly winds increasing Monday morning, with winds generally 20 to 30 mph for most areas. A brief lull in the winds is expected Monday night before another round of increasing southerlies Tuesday morning. Winds Tuesday morning will be be stronger, especially along the North Coast, and areas Whidbey Island northward with gusts 35 to 45 mph in those locations. Conditions may approach high surf on Tuesday with waves building to around 16-18 ft with a period around 15 seconds. Snow levels will fluctuate between 5,000 to 8,000 feet, for periods of high elevation mountain snow. Additional weather systems are forecast across the region next week, maintaining the threat for continued lowland rain, gusty winds, mountain snow, and increased waves. River flooding is not anticipated at this time; however, additional precipitation will result in rising river levels.”