It’s the calm after the storm.

The wind huffed and puffed and blew a lot of trees down Tuesday night, causing power outages and major commuting problems in North Snohomish County and elsewhere.

Power was out in many homes and businesses from Marysville to Arlington, and west to Lakewood and Tulalip. Wind blowing trees down on top of power lines was the major reason.

Schools are closed today (Nov. 18) in Arlington, Lakewood and Marysville as a result.

Southbound Highway 529 in Marysville, near I-5, was closed for a time because of downed power lines.

Late Tuesday afternoon, a driver reported part of a tree fell on a van while his vehicle was heading south on Highway 9 near 108th Street near Marysville. The tree narrowly missed hitting him and a passenger.

“Another few inches, different outcome,” Washington State Patrol trooper Mark Francis said, adding drivers need to slow down during conditions like those.

The patrol reported 15 crashes between 7 and 11 a.m. Tuesday. It got worse when darkness hit.

“It’s getting really bad right now,” Francis said Tuesday night. “We are still prioritizing calls right now. There are so many trees coming down.”

Thousands lost power early in the day as Snohomish County Public Utility District crews rushed to restore electricity. Then a second wave of high wind hit, and by evening the PUD reported 111,000 customers without power. Those without power or who see downed lines should call PUD at 425-783-1001.

High winds continued into the evening, with rain-saturated ground creating a continuing risk of downed trees and power lines.

Flooding also was an issue. In Arlington, city officials were bracing for the worst late Tuesday. The National Weather Service elevated its prediction for flood severity on the Stillaguamish River from “moderate” to “major.”

“We have lost power to a number of locations around town, including the Airport Office and Fire Station 47,” city spokesman Kristin Banfield said.

“We are hearing of a few locations in town with downed trees and power lines, so we’re starting to tackle those.”

The South Fork Stillaguamish River was in major flood stage with water surrounding some homes along Jordan Road between Arlington and Granite Falls.