Seattle/Tacoma Thunderbolts

[TelcoJoe]

The one on the WAC is also a bit unknown. It was indeed on a lower tier, as per photos of its installation. I had believed it to be on the south or southwest side/corner, which might be visible from the East. I can't see it in satellite photos due to shadows from neighboring buildings, but that doesn't mean it isn't still there. The 80s is when I suspect most got removed; if it was there in the 90s, I'd say it's more likely to be extant.

I KNOW that the following are gone: (1) Police Garage on 5th & Cherry, building demolished in the 80s or 90s. (2) Georgetown Steam Plant, verified removed in the 80s, disposition unknown, but also clearly not on the roof (it was on the north end). (3) Seattle City Light warehouse, removed, an elevated bridge goes past with a clear view of the roof and even its mountings don't show up in satellite photos.

(4) Northacres park, and (5) Allen Elementary, Phinney Ridge, still verified in place. Phinney Ridge has been cosmetically restored and a sign discussing it placed at the base, Northacres Park is rusting away but (I think) intact.

That leaves two unknowns, (6) this one near Columbia City and (7) the WAC. Several years ago, when one could still enter the WAC lobby, I went in and asked the front desk. They referred me to maintenance, who was not in at the time, but did not give me a specific number, just asked me to "call." Now, the lobby itself is off-limits to non-members, but I really need to call them.

Yes. The one in Northacres Park is still there, but the housing looks like it's been tampered with. It would be easy to get up to it (for those not fearful of heights and/or personal safety) so I imagine it's been vandalized over the years.

I would like to know more about what Tacoma had in place if anyone has that information. They did use Thunderbolts there.

[coastalsyrolover]

Washington state had tons of thunderbolts including Tacoma. Westport (now uses modulators) used them for tsunamis like Waldport Oregon did. All I can say for the Tacoma ones is that they are pretty well gone although I am sure you can find some pics on google images or some articles or something. It sounds to me like there also may have been a more recent system of sirens in Tacoma... Maybe puget or Daniel could straighten that out for me...

[PugetSoundStormWatch]

It sounds to me like there also may have been a more recent system of sirens in Tacoma... Maybe puget or Daniel could straighten that out for me...

As of right now, Fife (to the immediate east of Tacoma) has several Modulators, 2001s, and inactive Whelen 3016s all for Geohazard purposes. The Port of Tacoma has four Modulators and a DSA that are tied into the AHAB (All Hazard Alert Broadcast) system, but can be activated separately by the port in the event of an emergency. To date, the city of Tacoma has no sirens.

[Daniel]

I can only help with southeastern Washington at the moment, and there isn't much out here. Aside from the usual small-town Model 2's and 5's, the only unusual things around here are two remaining Model 5's in Kennewick, several Modulators in the Hanford area, a couple of old Thunderbolts in Yakima, and a neglected Denver siren in Toppenish.

[PugetSoundStormWatch]

I can only help with southeastern Washington at the moment, and there isn't much out here. Aside from the usual small-town Model 2's and 5's, the only unusual things around here are two remaining Model 5's in Kennewick, several Modulators in the Hanford area, a couple of old Thunderbolts in Yakima, and a neglected Denver siren in Toppenish.

Do you know the locations of the Modulators in Hanford? So far I've found a couple dozen Whelen stacks within the Nuclear Generating Station facilities.

By the way, if you didn't already know, I discovered two WS-2016s and an STH-10 in Colfax, plus a few random goodies all over Eastern Washington.

[Daniel]

My mistake. The Hanford sirens are Whelens, not Modulators, and they are in various places around the Hanford site, including the northern stretches of Richland and one on the highway going to Benton City.

[Jonas Clark]

Daniel, when I head south on I-5 towards Portland, there's an (I think abandoned or disused) nuclear site off to the west, the cooling towers visible over the trees past the river. On the left side, in two places-- once right along the freeway, and again just before a small town, up a hill in a little clearing-- I see old Thunderbolts, presumably for that station.

What city is that, and do you know if more than two remain? I assume they haven't even been tested in a long time.

[PugetSoundStormWatch]

Daniel, when I head south on I-5 towards Portland, there's an (I think abandoned or disused) nuclear site off to the west, the cooling towers visible over the trees past the river. On the left side, in two places-- once right along the freeway, and again just before a small town, up a hill in a little clearing-- I see old Thunderbolts, presumably for that station.

What city is that, and do you know if more than two remain? I assume they haven't even been tested in a long time.

You must be talking about Trojan. The cooling tower for the plant was demolished in 2006, but old sirens remain. The system consists of decommissioned Thunderbolts, Whelens, Model 5s, STH-10s, and a Sterling. At one time there were Model 2s, possibly an Allertor, and possibly an STL-10 or two. The towns you presumably passed were Longview, Kelso, and Kalama.

Here is the Trojan Siren Map.

[coastalsyrolover]

Among I5 heading south you can see in this order: an STH-10, a sterling (both off to the right), and a thunderbolt (after the shell has station coming up over the small hill in the left.) When I was little I got a chance to see the giant power plant. I also recall seeing the allertor siren there and it might still be there but who knows?

[Daniel]

Trojan was decommissioned in the 1990's and the reactor core was barged up the Columbia to Hanford. Most of Oregon's power production is hydroelectric, and the only dam sirens I've found is a Model 5 on the roof of the control building at McNary Dam in Umatilla and an ATI array at Oxbow Dam on the Snake River.