Gusty winds may cause localized power outages and tree limb damage Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 26-27, in Whatcom County, according to the National Weather Service.
A high wind watch forecast southerly winds gusting as high as 60 mph.
Temperatures have been in the 60s since 3 a.m. at Bellingham International Airport, according to the weather service, with winds gusting in the 30s.
River flooding is possible through the middle of the week as rain continues through Tuesday. High surf is possible at the coast later Tuesday and coastal flooding and erosion is likely with King Tides through Wednesday, Dec. 28.
Early Christmas morning, six people and five dogs were rescued in Marietta after homes along Marine Drive flooded due to a combination of ice building up at the mouth of the Nooksack River and King Tides, according to a Whatcom County Sheriff's Office news release.
Deputies were assisted by and Whatcom County Public Works staff and Search and Rescue volunteers. The Red Cross is providing temporary shelter for two people and the Whatcom Humane Society is kenneling the dogs.
Puget Sound Energy reported more than 3,000 customers were without power in 40 outages, but just three of them were in Whatcom County Monday at 5 a.m.
Additional storm systems are predicted over the next several days and Whatcom County authorities continue to meet daily to monitor developments and to prepare, according to the news release.
