Fairhaven residents evacuate residence hall due to fallen tree damage
By Alison Ward
Several trees fell on stack 3 of Fairhaven Complex at about 8:40 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, causing damage to the residence hall and one minor injury.
The trees fell from the Sehome Hill Arboretum and hit the stack where students are staying, according to a Western Alert sent at 9:34 p.m. University police and Facilities Management evacuated Fairhaven students living in the section of the residence hall where the trees fell and relocated one student affected by the damage.
“University officials cautioned against going into the arboretum due to high winds and urged caution because of the possibility of falling branches on campus,” said the Western Alert, which was sent to Western Washington University students and staff.
The wind gusts in Bellingham started at 7:53 p.m. with speeds increasing to between 30 mph and 40 mph by midnight, and stopped by 12:35 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, according to the Weather Underground.
“We sent the Western Alert in order to let folks on campus know about this incident,” said Paul Cocke, Western’s communications director. “And to caution about the high winds and the possibility of falling tree branches on campus and in the arboretum.”
This story will be updated as more information is made available.
