Already saturated with days of rain and high tides, South Whidbey is expected to get hit with a wind storm this afternoon.

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning Thursday morning for the southwest and southeast interiors, and the Puget Sound region. Whidbey Island, Everett, Port Townsend, Bellingham and the Seattle area are forecast to get sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of up to 65 mph, according to the warning.

Wind directions will vary based on location, but South Whidbey will likely see winds from the south and southeast, and are expected to begin between 4 and 6 p.m. The weather should improve dramatically by Friday morning.

Bill Oakes, director of Island County Public Works, said shorelines will likely be hit the hardest, especially those in the Clinton area.

“Any south-facing beach will take the brunt of the storm,” Oakes said.

The good news is that the storm will occur during a low tide so homes in the relevant areas won’t have to contend with flooding from waves.

The National Weather Service is warning that all of South Whidbey, however, should prepare for power outages that may result from downed trees.

“Winds this strong will topple large trees,” according to the release. “Widespread power outages are likely to occur given the saturated soils from recent heavy rain.”

Evening commutes, especially those from Seattle northward, may be affected, the release added. Also, those who lose power and plan to use alternative sources of heat or electricity are reminded to be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Portable generators should only be run outside in a well-ventilated area.

Puget Sound Energy is preparing for a “busy night” with “widespread power outages and wind damage,” according to news release Thursday. The utility has increased staffing in key operations areas and have brought in “at least 30 crews from other utility and power companies” to assist with the expected service disruptions throughout the region.

PSE is urging customers to prepare for the storm with emergency supplies, such as food, batteries and flashlights. The company also warned the public to never touch a downed power line and assume they energized. Call 888-225-5773 or 911 to report outages and other electric problems.

South Whidbey is already suffering from days of rain. Island County Commissioners declared a state of emergency Wednesday after four homes in the Mutiny Bay area were being threatened with floodwaters.

According to Oakes, an outfall to the beach was blocked with sand and caused rainwater to back up. Workers cleared the sand with hand tools and the water began to drain. He didn’t have an estimate of damages, but said several outbuildings were flooded, and the foundations of the homes were in danger.

Oakes explained that the emergency declaration allows public works employees to go onto private property to fix the problem.

“Contrary to what people think, we don’t go onto private property unless it’s an emergency or we have permission,” he said.

As of Thursday noon, Oakes said South Whidbey had not been hit with any landslides or bluff collapses, which often follow heavy rain. Much of East Shoreview Drive and the intersection at South Woodard Avenue were closed, however, due to a high tide. Water flowed freely over the roadway Wednesday and Thursday mornings, then began to recede.

Matt Nichols, CEO of Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, said the flooding did not interrupt work. It happens about three or four times a year and crews manage the water with sandbags in the northeast corner of the shipyard.

“We’re pretty accustomed to it,” Nichols said.

“The shocking thing is people try to drive through it with their nice cars, but it’s saltwater not freshwater,” he added.

It’s terrible for cars, he said, and should be avoided. Andy Campbell, manager of the Freeland Water and Sewer District, which is headquartered on Woodard, said cars in past years have attempted the road and gotten stuck.

“It’s a river running through there,” said Campbell, adding that parts of the road were submerged by up to four feet of water last year.

The problem has been better since county road crews began closing the road.

The weather this weekend is expected to improve, but Oakes said the declaration would likely be kept in place until Monday as a precaution.

Whidbey News-Times co-editor Jessie Stensland contributed to this story.