Photo Credit: AccuWeather
As the winter snow settled across Puget Sound, residents delighted in it and shared fun photos of snowmen, sledding and other activities. But with snow comes the potential of power outages, road closures, extreme temperatures and slick roads — many of which were experienced today. Here at City Light, our crews worked to restore power in neighborhoods across our service territory including Burien, Lake Forest Park and south Seattle.
The City of Seattle has compiled a helpful list of tips that address the cold weather, shelter, safety, roads and other elements affected by our winter conditions. We’ve outlined it for you to reference and share with your families, neighbors and fellow Seattleites!
- Freezing temperatures put our neighbors living unsheltered at even greater risk, so please help the City get them into safer, warmer places. The City and its regional partners are working 24/7 to help bring people into warmer, safer places. If you are concerned about an individual living unsheltered, or in need, call 2-1-1 a resource line that can help connect an individual to resources. When the 2-1-1 line isn’t open, the 24-hour Crisis Line 866-427-4747 can provide information that the City provides on warming shelters, similar to how they do for sheltering information for people experiencing homelessness. If it is an emergency, contact Seattle Police by calling 9-1-1. SPD has transport vans to take people to warming centers and shelters.
- SDOT is working 24/7 to keep our roads as safe as possible. Nearly three dozen SDOT crews will continue to treat major streets and thoroughfares throughout the city. SDOT focuses on keeping our busiest streets that are most important for getting to major public institutions such as hospitals and schools and the streets that are most frequently used by police, fire trucks and buses. The map of SDOT’s snow routes is here and the interactive Winter Weather Snow and Ice Service Map is here.
- Avoid driving if you can. For those who absolutely have to drive, please drive slowly, stick to major arterials that have been cleared, and turn your headlights on. And watch out for pedestrians and kids playing in the snow!
- Please do not remove street closure signs for any reason – and drivers should also avoid streets that are closed. And people looking for hills to sled should do the same. These streets are closed by SPD for one reason: to keep you safe. Please avoid them.
- If you see a downed power line, please keep a safe distance (at least 20 feet) and report it to (206) 684-3000. If it appears to be sparking or smoking, call 911. Thanks for your help in spreading the word. Learn more here: http://www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat/whenpowerout.asp.
- Reduce your risk of a fire by making sure to keep any flammable materials (think fabric, paper, aerosol cans) away from heat sources such as fireplaces and portable and baseboard heaters. Always pay close attention when cooking – kitchen fires are a leading cause of residential fires. Never leave the room when there is an open flame in use.
- Never use a grill, charcoal, or generator indoors, in garages, or in carports. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly.
- Seattle Public Utilities’ water crews are on standby and ready to respond to water emergencies like frozen pipes – but they need the public’s help. Protect indoor sink pipes that are against exterior walls by opening under-sink cabinet doors to allow indoor heat to circulate. During severe cold temperatures allow one indoor faucet to slowly drip cold water. Select the faucet that is the farthest from your front door. Do not leave water running in unoccupied buildings. Set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees day or night (even if you are away). Learn more: http://www.seattle.gov/util/MyServices/DrainageSewer/StormsFlooding/freezingweather/
- Seattle Public Utilities is closely watching the forecast to determine whether crews can safely handle pickups and is notifying customers of delays. Solid waste collection is dependent on safe road and weather conditions for drivers. Due to challenging road conditions, garbage, recycling, and good-yard waste collection was cancelled on Monday and Friday with most service completed between Tuesday-Thursday. SPU will work on make-up collection as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience while we wait for the next safe collection window. For more information, please visit: https://atyourservice.seattle.gov/2019/02/06/solid-waste-collection-resumes-feb-6/.
Also, please continue to monitor updates from @OfficeofMayor @seattleDOT @NWSSeattle @wsdot @SeattleParks @SPLBuzz @kcmetrobus @SoundTransit.
You can also follow us at @SEACityLight.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work through these winter storms. Stay warm and be safe!