🏀 Will the Sonics come home?

Thousands Lose Power, Blizzard Warning for Mountain Passes

Due to strong winds, nearly 300,000 people were without power on Wednesday. And a rare Blizzard Warning was in effect through noon on Wednesday. Gov. Ferguson says flooding across the state is "undoubtedly one of the most devastating in our state's history." He’s released $3.5 million in short-term emergency aid meant to help families affected by the floods pay for things such as groceries and hotel stays. King County is also investing $1.5 million in shelter assistance and debris removal. More details on how to apply for aid will be released soon. [KNKX]

• How to Stay Safe During Power Loss: The Seattle Times has a list of tips in multiple languages to share with your neighbors for how to safely navigate a power outage – and importantly, how to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning in the process.
• What’s Next for Weather? The storm hasn’t quite passed yet. Snow is expected at all of the passes by Friday. This morning, rain will pick up again, but many rivers are forecast to peak only in minor to moderate flood stages. WSDOT suggests limiting travel and checking their road closure site for the latest info. [Seattle Times]
• Other Safety Considerations: It’s still raining, and that increases pressure on soil instability. In other words, landslide risk continues – especially on steep coastal bluffs, other steep hillsides or road cuts, and recently burned areas. [Seattle Times]
• What Made This Series of Storms So Powerful? Short answer: climate change. Low snowpack, leftover burn scars, and abnormally warm temperatures are supercharging the atmospheric rivers hitting the Pacific Northwest. A study published earlier this year found that atmospheric rivers have become slightly wetter, larger, and more frequent since 1980. Grist has this informative deep dive on the subject.
• Flood Insurance A Rarity in WA: As of October, only about 45,000 homes in Washington had flood insurance. Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer urged homeowners to take pictures of damage to their flooded homes and make their properties available for insurance inspection as soon as possible. [Washington State Standard]
• How to Get and Give Help: We’ve gathered a list of resources and places to donate on the City Cast Seattle website.

Lockdown at Evergreen Senior High School in White Center 🚔

No injuries have been reported, but two handguns were recovered and three people detained after King County deputies responded to reports of a person with weapons on campus at Evergreen Senior High School in White Center. The school went into lockdown at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. [KING5]

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse Will Not Seek 7th Term ⌛

Rep. Newhouse is currently serving his sixth term representing Central Washington’s 4th Congressional District. Newhouse is one of only two remaining House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His departure will mean the state’s most conservative district seat opens up in November as Republicans and Democrats battle for control. [Seattle Times]

Are the Sonics Finally Coming Back? 🏀

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday night that a decision on possible expansion by the league is coming at some point next year. He specifically mentioned the possibilities of Seattle and Las Vegas as target markets… AGAIN. The potential return of the NBA to the Seattle market has been dangled for the last 18 months. Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson also recently met Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, and she reported, “he said he would always support our efforts to get a new Sonics team.” [Seattle Times]

Allegations of Harassment Against The Station Co-owner 🚫

Multiple women allege that interactions with Jose Luis Rodriguez, co-owner of The Station coffee shops in the South End, resulted in verbal harassment and unwanted touching. Some of the allegations come from one of his family members. Reporter Lilly Ana Fowler has in-depth coverage of this story, and we will be discussing it further with publisher Marcus Harrison Green on Friday’s podcast. [South Seattle Emerald]

In Remembrance of Seattle Food and Beverage Icons 🥂

Naomi Tomky reflects on the impact of some of the people we lost this year, including the leader of one of the last remaining lesbian bars, a hot dog cart, and more. [Seattle Met]