Vancouver, WA – Residents across Clark County are waking up Thursday morning to storm damage following an overnight system that brought heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and lightning, triggering power outages, road hazards, and multiple traffic collisions.
According to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the storm caused trees and power lines to come down across several areas, leaving widespread power outages and creating dangerous travel conditions during the morning commute.
Authorities identified State Route 503 between Battle Ground and Orchards as a major trouble spot after traffic signals went dark due to power loss. Deputies are urging drivers to use extreme caution in the area, slow down, and treat intersections without signals as four-way stops.
Law enforcement, utility crews, and road departments are actively working throughout Clark County to clear fallen trees, repair damaged infrastructure, and restore power as quickly as possible. Officials are asking the public to give crews extra space and patience as restoration efforts continue.
One reported incident involved a downed tree in the 1600 block of Northwest 199th Street in Ridgefield, highlighting the widespread nature of the damage from the storm system.
Safety officials are reminding residents to treat all downed power lines as if they are live and to stay clear of any fallen wires or damaged utility equipment. Anyone encountering hazardous conditions is encouraged to report them to local authorities.
Drivers should allow extra travel time this morning and remain alert for debris, emergency vehicles, and temporary road closures as cleanup operations continue.
Conditions are expected to improve as the storm system moves out, but lingering impacts may continue throughout the day.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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