Irons Brothers: Secure your home for the winter cold
| Photo by Bruce Hill |
Here are some tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help you make sure your home is the best shelter possible for you and your family during the colder months that have just begun for us.
- Ensure you are keeping out outside air and moisture. Insulate walls and attics, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows, and install storm windows.
- Clear rain gutters so they don’t fill with water that could freeze and cause damage to the roof due to the added weight.
- Trim tree branches that could potentially fall on your home during a storm. Hiring a professional is strongly advised, especially if any branches are near power lines.
- Have your heating equipment and chimney cleaned and inspected every year. Ensure there are no openings in the chimney bricks or mortar or flashing.
- Insulate water pipes with foam wrap or similar products to help prevent them from freezing.
- Make sure all your fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside, and the vent openings are clear of debris and snow.
- Learn how to shut off your main water valve in case your pipes do freeze and burst.
- Hire a contractor to check the structural integrity of your roof to sustain the weight of accumulated snow or water.
- Keep fire extinguishers around the home, and make sure all family members know how to use them.
- Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal burning device inside your home, garage, basement, crawl space or any partially enclosed area. And do not place the unit near a door, window or vent where carbon monoxide could seep indoors.
- Space heaters should only be placed on a level surface and away from heavy foot traffic when in use, especially if pets or small children are nearby. It’s best to have space heaters that automatically turn off when a room reaches the desired temperature or in the event it is tipped over.
City of Shoreline Winter Weather update 12/22/2022 2:30pm
Thursday, December 22, 2022
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| Boeing Creek Park photo copyright Tom Wear |
- Holiday Break Camps at Spartan Recreation Center are CANCELLED for Friday, December 23.
- Spartan Recreation Center and Shoreline City Hall will both delay opening until 10:00am Friday December 23.
- Depending on conditions Friday morning, these facilities may close all together.
Cold temperatures and wind chills will impact the area overnight and there is a strong chance of widespread freezing rain overnight through the Friday morning commute.
What is freezing rain?
Freezing rain is liquid precipitation that freezes on contact with cold surfaces as it enters a shallower layer of temperatures at or below 32 degrees F near the surface.
With an accumulation of ice, there is a possibility of tree limbs snapping and taking out power lines. Prepare for potential power outages.
For the latest weather forecast go to National Weather Service.
Stay Safe!
- Live Wire Warning - Keep your distance from any downed lines and report them at 206-684-3000.
- Darkened Intersections - Treat all darkened intersections as a four way stop and to be cautious of drivers who may not stop.
- Apartments without Fire Alarms - Apartment buildings without power for long periods of time can lose their fire alarm systems. Conduct a fire watch to keep residents safe.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Do not use barbecue or other open flame sources in the home. The smoke from an open flame indoors can lead to death or injury from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Shoreline crews have worked hard to clear primary and secondary routes and are prepping them with sand/deicer in anticipation of cold overnight temperatures causing ice. Reminder, plows only move to neighborhood streets after primary and secondary roads are clear. Depending on conditions, it could take several days before you see a plow on your street.
Shoreline homeowners and business/property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice off driveways and sidewalks near their property, including the ridge of snow left along the edge of driveways by the snow plow. Please keep your sidewalks clear for pedestrians.
- If snow is removed from your property, make sure the snow is not placed in the right of way.
- Right of way and catch basins must also be kept clear to accommodate melting snow and to avoid pooling water.
- More information about stormwater drains can be found on the Adopt-A-Drain page.
Depending on conditions, the City may post road closure signs on some of our known danger spots. You can see where those are on the Snow Event Closure Map. The City may also need to close other roads due to conditions.
Current road closures (additional closures may be added as conditions are assessed):
- All roads on the Snow Event Closure Map are currently closed.
We are monitoring weather and road conditions. City facility hours might be impacted if conditions warrant late opening or early closure.
- City Hall
- Delayed opening until 10:00am Friday December 23. Depending on conditions Friday morning, City facilities may close all together.
- Spartan Recreation Center
- Delayed opening until 10:00am Friday December 23. Depending on conditions Friday morning, City facilities may close all together.
- Richmond Highlands Recreation Center
- Open. Depending on conditions Friday morning, City facilities may be closed.
- Shoreline Parks
- Richmond Beach Saltwater Park is closed to vehicle traffic.
- Our other parks are open; however, we encourage visitors to use caution. Ice on trees from freezing rain can cause tree branches to snap and trees to fall. Please stay out from under trees and avoid forested park areas during the current weather conditions.
The Seattle City Light website allows you to check the status of a power outage. Contact Seattle City Light for more information at (206) 684-7000.
- Never use a generator, charcoal, or gas grill in an enclosed space, including your home and garage. These emit carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell but can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious threat especially when families look for alternate ways to heat their homes during a power outage.
- Never touch or go near any downed power lines.
- Remember to treat all intersections as a 4-way stop when traffic lights are out.
Some King County Metro and Community Transit buses are running on snow reroutes. Please check your route before traveling. For more information, visit Metro's Service Advisories website or Community Transit's Rider Alerts.
Storm drains and localized flooding
As the snow melts, street drains and culverts can plug as chunks of snow and slush move towards the drainage inlets. If this occurs there may be localized flooding as the water ponds or bypasses plugged drains.
Locate storm drains near your house
A similar situation can arise on roofs with snow that may plug roof drains or scuppers as it melts. If possible, monitor your roof and maintain the roof drains. Some structures, such as out buildings and car ports, are at a higher risk of collapse under wet snow, so please use caution.
Winter Storm Resources
Shoreline road closure map and other winter storm resources
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| Check the map for current conditions |
Depending on conditions, the City of Shoreline may post road closure signs on some of our known danger spots. You can see where those are on the Snow Event Closure Map.
Additional closures may be added as conditions are assessed.
Winter Storm Resources
- Shoreline StormReady
- Seattle City Light Outage Map
- Power Outage Safety and carbon monoxide poisoning prevention information
- Recology service updates
- Metro Transit snow routing alerts
- Community Transit
- NOAA Weather Updates
WeatherWatcher: Winter storm watch Thursday afternoon through Friday evening
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| Freezing rain event in February 2021 Photo by Carl Dinse |
- First Act: Accumulating snow (1-3 inches)
- Second Act: Accumulating freezing rain ( 0.0 to 0.25 inches )
- Gradual warm up starting Friday morning - moving above freezing Friday evening.
- Potential flooding rains over the weekend, with potential for wind.
Check before you go out
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
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| Photo courtesy Sky Nursery |
By the way, Wednesday is the first day of winter.
Read more...
Winter update: City of Shoreline
ROADS: Snow crews moved to 12 hours shifts Monday night and are currently plowing primary routes. Once the snow stops and primary routes are cleared, they will move to secondary routes. Only after primary and secondary roads are clear will we start plowing neighborhood streets. See plow maps at update link below.
SIDEWALKS: Please clear your sidewalks! Shoreline homeowners and business/property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice off driveways and sidewalks near their property. Help our pedestrians stay safe!
ROAD CLOSURES: Road conditions are being assessed and some of our known danger spots are already closed. See more at update below.
CITY FACILITIES and PARKS: Camp Shoreline has been cancelled for today, but Spartan remains open for drop-in use. Richmond Highlands Rec Center is closed and teen programming is cancelled. City Hall is open. Richmond Beach Saltwater Park is closed to vehicles.- Spartan Recreation Center closed at 5:00pm. today, Tuesday, December 20.
- All of the roads on the Snow Event Road Closure Map are currently closed.
- Road crews will work to apply as much salt and sand where necessary on primary and secondary routes before the temperatures drop and wet spots freeze over.
- If you do not need to be on the roads, please stay home! Ice on roadways will pose a significant danger tonight and tomorrow morning.
- If you do drive, go slow, leave extra room for others, and be aware of your surroundings.
- We expect Holiday Break Camps to be open tomorrow. However, if that changes, we will notify families via email.
WeatherWatcher: Snowy and cold week ahead
Monday, December 19, 2022
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| Snow covered trees on December 18, 2022 Photo by Carl Dinse |
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| Doppler Radar Sunday December 18, 2022 at 10:29pm National Weather Service in Seattle, Wa |
Brief snowfall Saturday morning
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Winter Driving: A tale of two tire types
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
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| Winter traction tires use a rubber blend that stays flexible, almost sticky, when the temperatures drop below freezing. Photo courtesy WSDOT |
What a difference four weeks makes.
With overnight temperatures below freezing, WSDOT crews have been spraying anti-icer on highway travel lanes that can get slick from overnight frost or potential lowland snow.
Winter traction tires use a rubber blend that stays flexible, almost sticky, when temperatures drop below freezing.
If you need to cross mountain passes this winter, dedicated winter traction tires are the way to go (studded tires are legal now through March 31). They’re the only way to cross a mountain pass when weather forces WSDOT to declare TRACTION TIRES REQUIRED, short of chains.
Please prepare for winter travel. You don’t want to be the driver who causes a blocking spinout on the pass when traction tires are advised or required. We’re all in this together. Be patient. Be courteous. Be smart. That will help keep traffic flowing.
--Article by the anonymous WSDOT Snohomish County traffic guy
WeatherWatcher: Tuesday Storm report, more potential snow on the way
Thursday, December 1, 2022
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| Power lines down near the North Ridge weather station. Photo by Raymond Dinse |
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| City Light power outage map at 1:20 am November 30th |
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| Tree and power line damage. Photo by Raymond Dinse |
City of Shoreline: Winter Weather Update - 11/30/2022 4:00 p.m.
Conditions forecast
There is still a chance for some more snow today and tomorrow. The National Weather Service has a winter advisory issued until 4:00 p.m. Thursday. The combination of heavy, wet snow and many trees with leaves still on them increases the potential for downed trees and power outages. DO NOT try to clear branches from lines or go near any downed power lines. Call Seattle City Light at 206-684-3000 or 206-684-7400 to report downed lines or call 911 to address any situation where a downed line might cause a dangerous situation. For the latest weather forecast go to National Weather Service.
What to do when the power goes out
Debris
The combination of heavy, wet snow and many trees with leaves still on them has caused a lot of limbs to break off and some trees to topple over. Shoreline crews have been moving throughout the city to clear the debris from the roads and areas where Seattle City Light crews need to work to restore power. Once the storm event has passed, crews will go back and pick-up and chip the debris. Due to the significant amount of debris across the city, this could take several weeks to complete.
Power Outages
The Seattle City Light website allows you to check the status of a power outage. Contact Seattle City Light for more information at (206) 684-7000.
- If outside, do not touch or go near any downed power lines.
- If inside, never use a generator, charcoal, or gas grill in an enclosed space, including your home and garage. These emit carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell but can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious threat especially when families look for alternate ways to heat their homes during a power outage.
- Remember to treat all intersections as a 4-way stop when traffic lights are out.
Power outage safety and carbon monoxide poisoning prevention information
Snow Removal
Shoreline crews plow primary routes first. They will continue to do this as long as it snows. Once the snow stops and primary routes are cleared, they will move to secondary routes. Only after primary and secondary roads are clear will we start plowing neighborhood streets. Depending on conditions, it could take several days before you see a plow on your street.
Please stay off the roads if you can to give crews a chance to clear them and treat them if possible.
secondary snow removal routes.
For more information: Snow and Ice Control Plan.
Property Owner Responsibilities
- Shoreline homeowners and business/property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice off driveways and sidewalks near their property, including the ridge of snow left along the edge of driveways by the snow plow.
- If snow is removed from your property, make sure the snow is not placed in the right of way.
- Right of way and catch basins must also be kept clear to accommodate melting snow and to avoid pooling water.
- More information about stormwater drains can be found on the Adopt-A-Drain page.
Road Closures
Depending on conditions, the City may post road closure signs on some of our known danger spots. You can see where those are on the Snow Event Closure Map. The City may also need to close other roads due to conditions.
Facility closures and/or hours of operations and meeting notices:
Spartan Recreation Center
- Open - regular hours
Richmond Highlands Recreation Center
- Open - regular programming
Shoreline Parks
- Parks are open; however, we encourage visitors to use caution. Wet, heavy snow can cause tree branches to snap and trees to fall. Please stay out from under trees and avoid forested park areas during the current weather conditions.
Shoreline Emergency Severe Weather Shelter
- Had to close Thursday night, November 30 because St. Dunstan's had no power. People seeking shelter were provided Lyft coupons to go to shelters that are open. Activation will be determined on a daily basis. Call the shelter hotline at 206-801-2797 for activation status. Shelter information
Public Transit
Some King County Metro and Community Transit routes have been rerouted or canceled. For more information, visit Metro's Service Advisories website or Community Transit's Rider Alerts.
Garbage, Recycling, and Food Scrap Collection
Due to current road conditions, Recology was not able to collect compost carts for all customers today. If your compost was missed, please leave your cart out for collection. Recology expects to collect remaining compost carts this week if road conditions allow.
Check Recology.com for the latest updates on service or contact them at shoreline@recology.com or 206-763-4444.
Storm drains and localized flooding
As the snow melts, street drains and culverts can plug as chunks of snow and slush move towards the drainage inlets. If this occurs there may be localized flooding as the water ponds or bypasses plugged drains. City maintenance crews will be clearing drainage inlets and culverts but may not be able to catch them all in advance of a problem. You can help prevent problems in your area - if you see snow plugging a drain or culvert consider clearing it and putting the snow uphill of the drain where it can melt without causing problems.
Locate storm drains near your house
A similar situation can arise on roofs with snow that may plug roof drains or scuppers as it melts. If possible, monitor your roof and maintain the roof drains. Some structures, such as out buildings and car ports, are at a higher risk of collapse under wet snow, so please use caution.
Winter Storm Resources
Shoreline StormReady
Seattle City Light Outage Map
Power Outage Safety and carbon monoxide poisoning prevention information
Recology Cleanscapes service updates
Metro Transit snow routing alerts
Community Transit
NOAA Weather Updates
WeatherWatcher: Winter Storm Warning in effect until 11 AM Wednesday morning
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
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| Seattle City Light Outage Map at 10:40 PM PST |
WeatherWatcher: Winter Weather Advisory issued 1pm Tuesday to 10am Wednesday
Monday, November 28, 2022
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| The kind of snow to expect in Shoreline Tuesday evening. Photo by Carl Dinse |
WeatherWatcher: Snow level flirting with the lowlands all week
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Water over I-5 on Monday
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
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| Crews removing logs from under the US 2 trestle bridge. Photo courtesy WSDOT |
Meanwhile, in Snohomish county, which still had 17,500 customers without power overnight into Tuesday, WSDOT crews were out Monday morning removing logs and debris from underneath the US 2 trestle bridge over the Snohomish River and Ebey Slough.
Bothell Way closed between 165th and 170th for power pole repairs
Saturday, November 5, 2022
South County got the same wind blast
Wild wind and power outages
Friday, November 4, 2022
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| 10:54pm Friday, November 4, 2022 |
A wild wind just swept through, knocking down trees and raining branches. Lights are flickering or just out. Lake Forest Park and Shoreline east of the freeway either have no power or are running on generators.
The sky on a blustery day
Sunday, October 30, 2022
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| Photo by Barbara Twaddell |
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