Around 1:50 p.m. today, Vashon residents were startled by three loud booms that shook homes and buildings up and down the Island.

The noises were the sonic booms of military aircraft associated with President Obama’s visit to Seattle today, said Susan Wolf, district secretary at Vashon Island Fire and Rescue.

Wolf said it’s likely that military jets scrambled to Seattle when aircraft entered the restricted airspace above the city, their high speeds creating the sonic booms heard by Islanders.

In town, many people immediately stepped outside their businesses, looking east and to the sky for any sign of what caused the noises.

Wolf said that the fire station has received many calls related to the booms, but no one has reported fire or smoke.

Seattle news stations are also attributing the noises to military aircraft and reporting that the booms were heard and felt all over Western Washington.

Update:

KIRO news radio reported that the pilot of a seaplane that flew into restricted airspace this afternoon is being held by the secret service at the Kenmore Air Harbor.