Tri-Cities winds send fencing, trampolines flying. Tumbleweeds block part of interstate
Drivers found their morning commute delayed south of Kennewick Tuesday morning by a giant pile of tumbleweeds.
High winds blew the weeds into the eastbound lanes of Interstate 82 at the Christenson Road overpass. Lt. Dustin Drout told the Tri-City Herald that troopers were called to the scene about 8:20 a.m. and found the pile was blocking the right lane of the interstate.
The overpass is south of Kennewick near the intersection with Highway 395.
The Washington State Department of Transportation used a plow truck to push the tumbleweeds out of the road. The lane was blocked for about half an hour, Drout said.
“As always, we want to remind drivers to avoid being distracted behind the wheel and alert to hazards such as tumbleweeds, and to adjust their driving for the weather conditions they’re experiencing.
The Tri-Cities was under a wind advisory Tuesday until 7 p.m.
The National Weather Service reported a peak gust of 54 mph early Tuesday afternoon at the Tri-Cities Airport.
In West Richland a trampoline took flight and created some traffic congestion, police there reported. City workers weighted it down and left it on the side of the roadway for its owner.
At Lawrence Scott Park in Kennewick, the wind blew down temporary construction fencing being used while the playground there is replaced.
Trash cans were blowing in Richland, with city staff stepping in to help sort out whose can belonged to whom as people reported cans that had landed in their yards.
Residents were told to bring their full cans back to their house from the street. They can place extra bagged trash at the curb next week to make up for the missed pick up.
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM.