Thunder rolls. Seattle got a break from its record-setting hot summer Wednesday when thunder and lightning storms struck much of Western Washington, knocking out power in nearly 5,000 homes in Rainier Valley, says KOMO News. The storm even forced an early end to outdoor practice for the Seahawks at their facility in Renton. It may not be over either, as the big area of low pressure responsible for the radical weather is expected to move ashore Friday, bringing more rainfall and potentially more thunderstorms with it.

Veteran homelessness. Local leaders are coming together to find shelter for the estimated 600 veterans living on the streets in King County, KING 5 News reports. Senator Patty Murray, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, Mayor Ed Murray and other local leaders set their attention on finding veterans safe, affordable places to live in the community, in an effort they call “Operation: WelcomeOneHome.” Leaders say they have already found homes for 400 veterans in 2015. “Together, let’s make this happen and fulfill our country’s promise to take care of men and women who have sacrificed so much for us,” Murray told KING 5.

Mercer Mess: If you live in Seattle, you’ve probably been stuck in traffic on Mercer Street near downtown Seattle, an area properly dubbed the Mercer Mess. What you probably don’t want to hear is that the Seattle Department of Transportation blames you. A new report from the department contends drivers are partly to blame for bad traffic in the area, KIRO 7 News reports. The report calls it “blocking the box”—the boxes are intersections in the middle of Mercer—and it happens when drivers, frustrated by long red lights, pull into the box thinking the light ahead will change. Unfortunately, when the light doesn’t change drivers end up blocking everyone who has a green light. Seattle police may start cracking down on these impatient motorists with $136 fines for blocking traffic.  

Are you ready for some football? The Seattle Seahawks open the preseason Friday at CentutryLink Field against the Denver Broncos. If you think it doesn’t matter to the defending NFC champs, guess again. All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman offered his thoughts about the game in a post on his personal website, RichardSherman25.com. “Training camp gave us a little taste of being back on the field and I have to say, we are as ready as ever to get out there in full swing and start making plays. . . It is a preseason game, but mentally I try to treat it like a regular season game so I can be in a groove by the time the first game comes around. . . I’m excited to get things going this week in Seattle, and I’m looking forward to seeing all of you 12s out there on Friday!”