The first major storm of the season hit western Washington Saturday evening, knocking down trees, closing routes and plunging many communities into darkness.
First response crews in many areas stepped up to clear blockages for travelers.
State troopers in Lewis County around 9:46 p.m., downed trees blocked all lanes of southbound I-5 near Highway 12. Parts of at least one vehicle were damaged. Farther north in Whatcom County, a downed tree blocked an exit off I-5 near the Custer Rest Area outside Custer…