Effects of the Windstorm at Fort Steilacoom Park

Last night there was a windstorm in Western Washington. Our windchimes were chiming loudly and the lights were flickering, so I built a fire in the fireplace in our library in case the electricity were to go out. Shortly after I got it started the electricity did indeed go out. It went out at about 9 o'clock, and it was out all night and morning. It came on at about 12:30pm.

My children got their sleeping bags, and we all slept in the library. It was kind of fun! It's always a relief when the electricity comes back on, though, because while it's off you remember all the great things that electricity provides such as hot showers, clean dishes and clothes, warm food, cold food (in the refrigerator and freezer), and a light while going to the bathroom at night! Oh, and of course the computer.

In the morning we went for a walk at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, WA, to check out the damage there, and we found out that those who take care of such things had already been working hard clearing the pathways in the park. Here are pictures of some of the trees we saw that had fallen down or which had broken branches.

Black Locust tree with broken branch

Branch from the above Black Locust tree

Another view of the Black Locust tree

Years ago this tree fell down and many new trees began
growing from it. It surprised us to see that another tree
had fallen on it!

A type of poplar--I think Lombardy Poplar?

The trunk where it broke.

Another tree that fell nearby

It crashed into a bench when it fell.

Only half of this tree fell.