Tree falls onto car in Monroe, WA, killing 1

Powerful late-season winter storm brings high winds, widespread power outages and downed trees across Western Washington.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:18pm

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One person died Wednesday night after a large tree fell onto their car in Monroe during a powerful late-season winter storm. The incident occurred amid high winds that caused widespread power outages and downed trees across the region.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of severe weather events and the need for proper emergency preparedness, especially as climate change leads to more extreme weather patterns. The storm's impact on the local community underscores the importance of infrastructure resilience and public safety measures.

The details

Crews with Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue responded to reports of a large tree falling onto a vehicle near 230th Avenue Southeast and Florence Acres Road before 8:30 p.m. According to officials, the incident turned deadly, as there was only one person in the car at the time.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday night, March 12, 2026.
  • The gustiest winds hit between 6 and 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

The players

Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue

The local fire and rescue department that responded to the incident.

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What’s next

Authorities will continue to investigate the incident and assess the broader impact of the storm on the local community.

The takeaway

This tragic event underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the face of severe weather events, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.