South End residents held their collective breath as high winds and driving rain swept across South Whidbey Monday afternoon.

After a nice 10-day hiatus from the stormy weather, another strong storm hit the Northwest with heavy rain, and strong, gusty winds. It was a continuation of the unsettled weather that has struck the Northwest this fall.

The sudden storm had South Enders hanging onto their hats as they completed their errands before heading home to possible power outages. Rain was falling sideways at the height of the winds.

Peak gusts of 61 mile per hour were reported in Oak Harbor by the National Weather Service. A record rainfall of 1.23 inches was set in Seattle Monday breaking the old record of 1.04 set in 2004.

With memories of the blackouts caused by the high winds last month and the snow storm, residents were scurrying to find their candles and start their generators.

Just like in the previous storms, the wind knocked over trees and powerlines across the area.

Trees fell in some areas of the South End, including on Saratoga Road between Langley and Freeland, and on Mortland Drive in Clinton.

Homes in the Saratoga Beach area were without power for about five hours.

Island County government offices in Coupeville went dark as the worst of the storm swept through about 3:30 p.m.

There were power outages reported in Oak Harbor, Coupeville and some areas of South Whidbey. There were spotty power outages in Seattle and in Mukilteo.

Puget Sound Energy reported that 11,000 people and businesses on Whidbey Island were without power.

“It was a sudden storm and didn’t last very long,” said Dave Reid, spokesman for Puget Sound Energy.

“It just roared up Puget Sound from the south and Whidbey Island and the Bellingham area were in its path. There were wind gusts of 80 miles per hour reported on the coast,” he said.

Fire District 3 volunteers were busy answering 21 calls Monday.

“It was an eventful day. We had four or five calls happening at one time, but nothing we couldn’t handle,” said Deputy Chief Mike Cotton.

Cotton said there were 13 calls related to downed trees and or powerlines, including a powerline blocking Honeymoon Bay Road.

Cotton said they responded to a one-car accident on Bayview Road Monday night.

“Rain was coming down in buckets,” he said.

No one was seriously injured in the accident.

Cotton said the employees of the county’s Bayview road shop, along with firefighters, kept the roads clear of trees. Puget Sound Energy was called out for the fallen and leaning powerlines.

The weather is expected to continue to be stormy. Weather forecasters say more rain and wind will move in and another wind advisory has been posted for the coast and Northwest interior including Whidbey Island.

Gayle Saran can be reached at 221-5300 or gsaran@southwhidbeyrecord.com.