Status Update on City Reponse to Severe Weather

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/23/2010

Status Update on City Reponse to Severe Weather
Emergency Operations Center Activated at 5:00 a.m.

SEATTLE - The City of Seattle Emergency Operations Center activated at 5:00 a.m. this morning. The following is a status update on the City's response to the severe weather:

SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (SDOT)

SDOT night shift crews are operating 15 plow and spreader trucks this morning that are loaded with granular salt (rock salt) for treating all areas that have accumulations of ice or packed snow. SDOT is making progress on Condition Level 1 corridors with crews focusing on trouble spots such as elevated structures and hills. SDOT is also making progress on Condition Level 2 corridors focusing on transit routes and hills.

New trouble spots developed during the night: Denny Way at Stewart on Capitol Hill; a downed tree blocking the right-of-way at Boren Ave at Seneca and icing that crews are working to treat on NE 55th Street between 25th and 35th Avenues.

SDOT will increase snow response crews for this morning's commute and transition to the day shift at 8:00 a.m. with 22 plow/spreader trucks being dispatched to continue improving conditions on Condition Level 1 and 2 snow routes. SDOT will focus to open closed streets and assist King County Metro recover stalled buses.

The following roads are closed:

1700-2200 block of East Madison Street,
19th Avenue Eeast and Boyer Avenue
West Dravus Street from 20th Avenue West to 27th Avenue West
6th Avenue South from Yesler Way to South Main Street
Northeast 51st Street and Latona Avenue Northeast
Denny Way from Melrose to Stewart
23rd Avenue East at Alder Street
Marion Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue
Northeast 50th Street at University Way Northeast
East Marginal Way South at South Michigan Street
6th Avenue at Madison Street

SDOT will activate it's Pedestrian Response plan starting with the day shift on Tuesday, 11-23, at 7:00 a.m.

SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT

The city's Human Services Department will open a day center to accomodate homeless from city shelters during the daytime today. The Family and Adult Service Center (FASC) Day Center at 2015 3rd Avenue opened at 6:30 a.m. The Seattle Center House is also open as a warming center.

SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Due to the weather and road conditions Seattle Parks and Recreation School Age Care day camp programs are canceled Tuesday, November 23. School Age Care program operation updates are available on the child care hotline at 684-4203. Canceled School Age Care day camps include the following locations: Alki, Delridge, Hiawatha, High Point, South Park, Rainier Beach, Rainier, Van Asselt, Jefferson, Yesler, Garfield, Montlake (at McGilvra Elementary School), Magnolia, Queen Anne, Ballard, Bitter Lake, and Meadowbrook Community Centers, and the Montlake Community Center program at Mcgilvra Elementary School and the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center program at Wedgewood Elementary School.

Swim lessons at pools are canceled.

Early morning lap swim is staffed at each pool with staff who can walk to the pools, and the swims will take place if customers get to the pools.

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Due to inclement weather, all locations of The Seattle Public Library will have a delayed opening Tuesday, November 23. All Library locations, including the downtown Central Library, will open at 1:00 p.m.

SEATTLE CITY LIGHT

An estimated 700 customers are currently without power, mainly near and around Burien. Crews are responding. Estimated time of restoration varies. For current information, go to www.seattle.gov/light and click on the Outage Map.

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