Last week's devastating storm left most Highline residents in the dark well into the weekend.

At press time late Saturday-almost 48 hours after the worst winter storm in almost 14 years caused widespread destruction throughout the region-power remained out in large areas from North Highline to Des Moines.

No dollar estimate of the property damage was available as cleanup got underway.

A record wind gust of 69 mph was recorded early Dec. 15 at Sea-Tac International Airport. At Boeing Field, gusts of 58 mph were recorded.

Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy lines and transformers were knocked out of service. Trees and limbs were felled, blocking roads and damaging houses and cars.

The windstorm was preceded by a torrential downpour, which flooded the area with two inches of rain from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 14.

Yet no resulting deaths and only one serious injury were reported in Highline communities.

Highline Medical Center was reduced to emergency power from diesel-powered generators.

Gale-force winds caused flights into and from Sea-Tac International Airport to be cancelled for several hours. The A and B concourses and the south satellite terminal lost power.

Along local streets, traffic-control lights were slowly coming back on Saturday, but power remained out at many busy intersections.

On what should have been a busy Christmas shopping weekend, many local stores were closed. Others got by with limited power from auxiliary generators.

Dec. 15 was the final day of business for Meal Makers restaurant in Burien. But owner Kevin Fitz could only receive tearful hugs from loyal customers in front of his darkened eatery.