With restoration crews still trying to restore power in Jefferson County after last weekend's wicked winds, county commissioners unanimously approved a "Declaration of Emergency" Monday.

The declaration will make Jefferson County eligible for state funding if the governor issues an emergency proclamation, and possibly federal funding, as well, if the damaging weather event in Western Washington earns a presidential disaster declaration.

More than 1,500 county residents were still without electricity Monday morning.

At one point over the weekend, nearly every resident in Jefferson County was without power, Willie Bence, director of the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management, told commissioners at their meeting Monday.

The National Weather Service in Seattle issued a high wind warning for Western Washington, including Port Townsend and Sequim, from 8 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. Saturday.

Winds as strong as 75 mph swept across the county, with the highest gusts reported on Marrowstone Island, Bence said.

The brunt of the storm hit Jefferson County around 10 p.m. Friday.

The windstorm knocked over trees and sent heavy branches onto power lines. Fallen tree debris also prompted multiple road closures.

The Washington State Department of Transportation sent out more than a dozen alerts from 10 p.m. to midnight Friday warning of downed trees along Highway 19 and US Highway 101.

Some local businesses without electricity closed completely during the storm, while others ran on power from generators. A number of businesses in the Chimacum area remained closed Monday.

Bence said the strong winds were mostly in the 40 to 50 mph range.

Because the storm came so soon in the winter season, multiple trees came down, he added, resulting in "untold damage."

"We're still unsure of the total cost to this disaster," Bence told commissioners.

The emergency proclamation will help underscore the damaging nature of the storm, he said.

The costs, Bence added, "will be absolutely massive."

County commissioners praised the response from crews working to restore power, and for employees in the county's Public Works Department for closing, clearing, and reopening roads that were shut down. For much of Saturday, a long section of Highway 19 was closed due to fallen trees and downed lines. 

Commissioner Greg Brotherton noted workers from the Jefferson County Public Utility District, as well as outside contractors, had been working 60-hour shifts to restore power.

Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour noted county roads employees had been working double shifts.

Some residents may continue to be without power for the next day or two, officials noted Monday.

After the 3-0 vote to pass the emergency declaration, Eisenhour said: "1,500 more people to work on!"