From NOAA, why this may be my only post of the day:
The power went out at our house between 4am and 5am yesterday morning, during Wednesday's windstorm. This one's supposed to be even stronger.
A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
10 AM PST FRIDAY.
A DEEP LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AND ITS FRONT WILL PRODUCING DAMAGING
WINDS AS IT MOVES ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT.
SOUTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE AHEAD OF THE SYSTEM TODAY AND IT
WILL BE GENERALLY WINDY ACROSS THE AREA LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING...WITH LOCAL SOUTHEAST WINDS OF 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 65
MPH.
THE STRONGEST AND DAMAGING WINDS WILL BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD
TONIGHT. THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS VANCOUVER
ISLAND AND INTO SOUTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA OVERNIGHT. STRONG
PRESSURE RISES BEHIND THIS DEEP LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL CAUSE A
SURGE OF SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS TO DEVELOP. THESE WINDS WILL SURGE
THROUGH THE SOUTHWEST PART OF WESTERN WASHINGTON...AND ESPECIALLY
THROUGH THE CHEHALIS GAP LATER THIS EVENING. THE WINDS ARE
EXPECTED TO SURGE THROUGH THE PUGET SOUND AREA AROUND MIDNIGHT.
THESE HIGH WINDS WILL CAUSE FALLING TREES AND POWER OUTAGES ARE
LIKELY. THERE MAY BE DAMAGE TO SOME STRUCTURES. THERE IS A HAZARD
FROM FLYING DEBRIS TONIGHT. PEOPLE SHOULD RUSH TO COMPLETION
PREPARATION FOR HIGH WINDS...LOOSE OBJECTS AROUND THE YARD SHOULD
BE SECURED...BOAT MOORINGS SHOULD BE CHECKED.
THE STRONGEST WINDS SO FAR THIS SEASON ARE LIKELY TONIGHT.
Debris hazard? Falling trees? Yikes. There are several of those deadly fir trees in the front yard of the house we're living in. Gulp.
I love it, though, secretly. When I was about six years old I used to get so happy on windy days. I remember pacing around the playground during blustery recesses, my hair whipping in the wind, keeping the wind on my face and trying to find the most exhilarating spot--at the top of the slide, or out away from the buildings on the soccer field, or huddled inside the large cross-section of concrete pipe that lay on its side near the tire swing, if the wind was howling down its length just right.
As anyone who's ever seen Wizard of Oz knows, the world feels less reliable on a windy day. Reality has a hard time coagulating; at any moment a hearty gust might send the world smearing sideways, drops of it spattering your shoes as you peer through the now rapidly-flowing sheet of liquid ho-hum to see what new universe awaits you.
Every time a big wind kicks up, I still look around hopefully, eager to see if this will be the day. Batten down the hatches, friends, and keep your eyes open. If all goes well, I'll see you on the other side of normal in the morning.
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