High winds, heavy seas stop Keystone/Port Townsend ferry

A wet, blustery day on Whidbey Island has taken its toll on ferry service and kept emergency volunteer hopping.

The ferry across white-capped Admiralty Inlet has been disrupted all day. The latest announcement from Washington State Ferries is that the 12:45 p.m. sailing from Port Townsend is canceled, as is the 1:30 p.m. sailing from Keystone, due to “high winds and heavy seas.” For up-to-date information, call 511.

As of 12:30 p.m., Acuweather.com reported light rain on Whidbey Island with winds west by southwest at 18 miles per hour and gusts up to 34 miles per hour.

Higher gusts Tuesday morning resulted in fire district volunteers responding to downed power lines on Camano Island, and trees limbs across power lines on South Whidbey Island. Lights flickered in Oak Harbor but the power remained on.

More rain is predicted for Tuesday night, Wednesday and Thursday, bring the total over the three days to over an inch.