The City of Seattle is warning residents to take precautions and be ready for a series of winter storms over the next few days.
The National Weather Service predicts lowland areas, including Seattle, could get three to seven inches of snow through Tuesday morning, plus the possibility of another six to 12 inches of snow over the lowlands on Wednesday.
The Seattle Department of Transportation crews are working through the night to maintain snow routes and address any trouble spots. Crews will use salt and salt-brine on city streets to prepare them for Tuesday morning’s commute.
Metro Transit remains on snow routing. Some trips or routes may be cancelled depending on conditions. Bus riders should check Metro’s Adverse Weather page for updates. Sign up for email or text Transit Alerts. People without online access can call the Customer Information Office at 206-553-3000 from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays.
Metro suggests dressing warmly since you may be waiting for a while. It’s also best to head for a bus stop on a main arterials or at major transfer points such as park-and-ride lots, transit centers, or shopping centers. Riders also should wait at bus stops at the very top or very bottom of hills, because buses are often unable to stop for passengers on the hill.
Seattle Public Schools notified parents and students on Monday night that Tuesday classes would start two hours late. Buses will be on snow routes, and there will be no preschool or Head Start programs.
Buses will be operating on snow routes tomorrow, which means that yellow buses only run on roads maintained by the City that receive snow removal. Students who ride buses received notice of snow routes in the mail during the week of Nov. 21. For more information on transportation, visit www.seattleschools.org/transportation
Families are being notified by an automated call tonight. Families are also advised to continue monitoring weather tomorrow morning and this week, as winter weather conditions may cause changes to school schedules.
The city is urging everyone to be prepared, and recommends that people:
- Consider options now for travel, staying off the roads if possible.
- Move cars off streets, if possible, to aid with snow removal.
- Check on neighbors, especially the vulnerable.
- Wrap pipes and outdoor faucets to prevent ruptured pipes and flooding inside homes.
- Turn faucets to a slow drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
- Be careful how they choose to heat or light their homes. Open flames and unattended candles are dangerous. Do not bring open stoves or gas grills inside as the fumes can be poisonous and deadly.
- Find and clear street storm drains. Snow followed by rain can clog drains and cause flooding.
- Have coats, hats, gloves and blankets at hand to stay warm during possible power outages.
- Bring pets indoors.
- Only call 911 in a life-threatening emergency.
Businesses and residents are reminded to keep their sidewalks clear to help pedestrians walk safely. Pedestrians should be cautious on snow or ice covered surfaces.
Once the snow starts coming, please email us your pictures of the neighborhood, whether it’s a cute snowman or cars abandoned on an icy hill.
