Feb. 12 Update: City of Seattle Prepares for Winter Weather

February 12, 2021 – The City of Seattle continues to monitor Northwest Weather Center forecasts which predict the Seattle area could see up to 7 inches of snow to the Seattle area beginning Friday evening and into Saturday late morning. Overnight temperatures Friday and Saturday will have a wind chill factor in the low- to mid-20s. The Office of Emergency Management will activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Saturday, February 13 to coordinate citywide operations in response to the storm.

Individuals who live, work, or spend time in Seattle are encouraged to sign up for free emergency alerts from AlertSeattle to receive winter weather and other emergency information via text, phone call, and email. Visit alert.seattle.gov or text the word SEATTLE to 67283 to sign up.

Seattle Department of Transportation

Crews began pre-treating major roads and elevated structures Tuesday night in order to prevent ice from forming and allow us to clear roads more effectively in freezing temperatures.

Crews will begin working 24/7 to ensure the city’s most critical streets for buses and emergency services are clear, prioritizing 1,200 miles of Seattle’s most critical routes to hospitals, schools, emergency services, shelters, and major employers. Crews will also be deployed to clear dozens of pedestrian overpasses, stairwells, and curb ramps that are not near homes or businesses.

Snowplow routes have been updated based on the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge closure, and so people can get to COVID-19 testing sites. SDOT continues to work closely with our partners at WSDOT and King County Metro on a regional snow response plan and to ensure that bus snow routes are clear of snow and ice as possible.

There are over 2,400 miles of sidewalks in Seattle. When it snows, everyone has a responsibility to shovel the sidewalks around their homes and businesses. Clearing these sidewalks isn’t just the law, it’s also the right thing to do so that everyone can travel safely during a snowstorm, especially people who are disabled or have a harder time getting around.

Visit www.seattle.gov/winterweather for information on how residents can stay safe, provides quick links for maps of power outages, snowplow routes as well as links to report down power lines and trees.
Visit the SDOT Winter Weather Response webpage for more information, including a map of planned snow routes for live updates on which roads have been plowed during a storm.
While SDOT is clearing surface streets, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will do their part to keep Seattle freeways as open to the extent possible but needs help from the traveling public to give crews room to work. If you need to venture out, the best decision is one that puts safety first. Visit WSDOT.com/winter for a guide on how to stay safe in hazardous driving conditions.
Visit MetroWinter.com to determine if your bus route is operating and to find out whether it’s on the transit snow route. You can also sign up for Transit Alerts, check out the Trip Planner webpage or app, and use Text for Departure by texting your bus stop number to 62550.

Seattle Public Utilities

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) works with the community to prepare for weather-related challenges including floods, frozen pipes, and icy roads before winter storms hit so that when they do, the impacts on neighborhoods are minimal. SPU has staff ready to respond to any water-related issues. SPU is also ready to assist partner departments like SDOT for snow-fighting operations.

What residents can do to help:

Protect indoor sink pipes that are against exterior walls by opening under-sink cabinet doors to allow indoor heat to circulate.
Allow one indoor faucet to slowly drip cold water. Select the faucet that is the farthest from your front door.
Protect water pipes from freezing in exposed or unheated areas (attics, basements, and garages) by wrapping them with tape and insulating materials from hardware stores.
Drain and remove all outdoor hoses and cover faucets for hose bibs.
Know where your shutoffs are located. If an emergency occurs, you’ll need to know how to shut off electricity, gas, and water at main switches and valves. You’ll want to know where these are BEFORE an emergency happens.

If frozen pipes are suspected, follow these steps:

Locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe. Likely places include pipes running against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home.
Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area.
Apply heat to the section of pipe using towels soaked in hot water wrapped around the pipe, an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, or an electric hairdryer. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame devices. Do not use electrical devices if there is standing water.
If a water pipe breaks, immediately close the main shut-off valve to stop flooding. The shut-off valve can be indoors or outdoors, usually in a basement, crawlspace, or garage.
If you cannot turn off the main shut-off valve, SPU customers can call (206) 386-1800 and a crew will turn off the water at the meter for a service charge.

Due to staffing limitations and winter weather, about 2,800 SPU customers will experience residential garbage, recycling and/or food/yard waste pickup delays today. Neighborhoods impacted include Green Lake, Wallingford, Rainer Beach and Seward Park.

Weather and road conditions permitting, garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste service will be collected tomorrow (Saturday). If a customer’s carts are not picked up by the end of Saturday, they should bring them in and then put them out on their next regularly scheduled pickup day.

Customers missed this week will be allowed to set out double their normal amount of garbage, recycling and yard waste at no additional charge, on their next collection day..

Get the latest information on any delays involving garbage, recycling, and yard waste pickup via Twitter & the At Your Service blog.

Seattle City Light

Seattle City Light (SCL) monitors weather conditions to prepare for potential power outages caused by high winds, heavy rain, or snow and ice. SCL is prepared with the necessary equipment, supplies, chains for trucks, etc., to respond to any outage. In case of outages, SCL has crews on standby ready to respond and work 24/7 until every single customer’s power is back on. Customers can track outages on our online outage map – www.seattle.gov/city-light/outages.

Tips for staying safe in case of an outage:

Be prepared for potential power outages with nonperishable food, flashlights, batteries, and blankets for every household member. Pets included.
Charge your devices so you can pass the time, call if you need assistance, or keep an eye on the status of outages with our online outage map.
If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized. Stay at least 35 feet away and call 911.
During an outage, keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
Close doors, windows, and curtains to retain heat. If safe, go to an alternate location for heating and cooling.
If someone in your home is dependent on life support equipment, sign up for SCL’s Life Support Equipment Program for assistance during planned and unplanned outages.
Avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning – never bring generators, camp stoves, or barbeques indoors.
Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from potential electrical surges when power is restored.
Find more tips at https://powerlines.seattle.gov/outage/.

Human Services Department (HSD)

Severe Weather Response

The City of Seattle is operating three severe weather shelters which will remain open through the morning of Monday, February 15.

Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion (305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109)
Garfield Community Center (2323 East Cherry Street)
Bitter Lake Community Center (13035 Linden Avenue North)

These shelters, operated by Salvation Army, Compass Housing Alliance, and the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), can accommodate 164 guests. Last night, 90 people utilized the shelters and this number is expected to increase tonight. All three sites are 24-hours and overnight guests may remain in shelters during the day. Individuals will be served on a first-come, first-served basis each night. Operation Sack Lunch is providing three meals a day and the Community Center locations can accommodate pets and service animals.

The temporary shelter spaces will meet COVID-19 safety protocols recommended by Public Health-Seattle & King County and the Centers for Disease Control which calls for COVID-19 screening for guests, expanded space to allow physical distancing, hygiene access, and increased sanitation guidelines.

King County has opened the Jefferson Day Center (420 4th Avenue, Seattle 98104) as a men’s only severe weather shelter that can accommodate 25 men. The temporary shelter opened Tuesday, February 9, and will remain open through Saturday, February 13, and is operated by The Salvation Army.

There are no known impacts to food banks, meal programs and case management programs assisting older adults and adults with disabilities. HSD will continue to monitor these programs and report service disruptions. During winter events, staff compiles lists of most at-risk case management clients and develops plans to provide care for people in the event of service disruption.

New Permanent Shelter

A new permanent women’s shelter will open at First Presbyterian Church on First Hill tonight, February 12. The program, operated by WHEEL, can accommodate up to 60 clients. Initially, it will operate as an overnight only shelter from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. but will become a 24/7 enhanced shelter in the coming weeks. This program will offer onsite case management and housing navigation services. The space includes showers, a dining area, nurse’s station, case manager’s office and storage.

Outreach for People Experiencing Homelessness

In partnership with City contracted providers, the HOPE Team continues to coordinate shelter referrals into the temporary cold weather shelter and other City funded shelters. HOPE Team staff, in coordination with Health One, are providing evening welfare visits to people living unsheltered in encampments.

Seattle Parks is lending passenger vans to the HOPE Team to help with transportation
Transportation will be limited due to COVID-19 protocols, so anyone who can make it shelter themselves should do so
If road conditions become hazardous, this may impact the HOPE Team’s ability to provide transportation or welfare checks.

Since yesterday, the Hope Team has:

Shared information with 151 individuals about the temporary severe weather shelters
Provided 124 individuals winter supplies (hats, gloves, handwarmers, etc.)
Provided basic needs supplies (water, snacks, etc.) to 84 people and,
Transported 6 individuals to temporary shelter

Areas visited by the HOPE Team include, but are not limited to: SODO, Georgetown, Ballard, Lake City, Downtown, Capitol Hill, and University District.

Seattle Fire’s Health One unit will be doing proactive outreach to people experiencing homelessness during the cold weather. This includes providing transportation for individuals to severe weather shelters, and distributing hot drinks, warm clothing, hand warmers, and more. The Health One unit is now running 24/7 through at least Sunday morning.

During this period Health One will maintain its normal coverage, but will add in heightened outreach, primarily in the central areas of the city. SFD is coordinating with the HOPE team and other city partners, but are not reachable by individuals directly at this time. The Seattle Police Department is on standby to assist with transporting individuals as needed.

If you are in need of shelter, call 2-1-1 or 1-877-211-9274. For families with minor children, call YWCA’s late night shelter 24-hour intake line at 206-461-4882. For an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Seattle Parks and Recreation

During snow events, SPR maintenance staff focus on removing snow from critical park paths, sidewalks, and curb ramps, as well as around community centers. Yesterday, crews re-treated active childcare sites, shelter sites, and high-use areas.
Our Tree Crew is prepared to work around the clock to respond to fallen trees and branches blocking paths, and our heavy equipment crews are prepared to respond to landslides at park sites and trails.
When needed SPR crews support citywide snow response efforts, including hauling salt and supporting SDOT in snow and ice control.
The Human Services Department (HSD), in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), has opened Bitter Lake and Garfield Community Centers as 24-hour coed severe weather shelters. More info. here.
During inclement weather, some of the limited in-person programs we are currently offering, including childcare, may be impacted. Please visit our website for up-to-date information on closures; for information on impacts to Child Care Programs, please refer to the Child Care Hotline: 206-684-4203.

During snow events, our nearly 500 parks remain open, unless otherwise indicated. Please follow COVID-19 safety precautions when visiting parks or play areas, including using a face covering, maintaining social distancing, and washing hands frequently. We encourage all visitors to use caution in our outdoor spaces. Snow and ice can cause tree branches to snap; please stay out from under trees and avoid forested parks during a snow event. All SPR golf courses are currently closed. Please check our website for updates on closures.

Office of Emergency Management

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is monitoring weather conditions and impacts to City services while coordinating with departments and partnering agencies to ensure their operational needs are met. OEM will activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Saturday, February 13 to coordinate citywide operations in response to the storm.

Seattle Fire Department

Seattle Fire response units are equipped with chains and have alternate route mapped in case normal travel routes are not passable. They will also be keeping clear of snow and ice the sidewalks in front of their stations.

Seattle Fire is preparing the City’s four COVID-19 community testing sites for the inclement weather by pretreating the parking lot areas with salt and have a plan with SDOT to plow major routes to the site should snowfall occur. The sites will likely remain open as long as roads to the site are drivable. If a closure is set to occur, the information will be posted to the COVID-19 registration webpage and on Seattle Fire’s social media accounts.

Residents should take steps to prevent home fires from occurring by giving heaters space and powering them properly. Be sure to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never use a generator indoors, in a garage, or in a carport, and never cook inside on a charcoal or gas grill. Seattle Fire has historically responded to a lot of aid responses for slips and falls during snowstorms – ensure you wear shoes with good tread.

Seattle restaurants with the large outdoor dining tents should monitor and keep clear any canopy tops of snow and ice to prevent collapse. Smaller tents should be taken down to prevent injury and damage to the tent itself.

Finance and Administrative Services Department

Facilities, fleets, and logistics teams in the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) are actively engaged in deicing preparations and operations at various facilities across the City. FAS teams have emergency generators on standby and ready to access should power disruptions occur. Fleet Management crews are operating 24/7 in support of SDOT’s efforts and maintaining the City’s fuel supply.