information from the City of Seattle 

In anticipation of snow and extreme cold weather over the next several days, the City of Seattle has been preparing for impacts to City services.  

As of Thursday, December 23, forecasts from the NWS projected that Seattle will experiencethe coldest temperatures of the season so far, with extreme cold temperatures predicted to last into the New Year. Temperatures could reach single digits next week. Forecasts also predict a very good chance that Seattle will experience snowfall starting on Saturday, December 25, with at least 2 inches of accumulation possible through the weekend.  

While current forecasts do not indicate heavy snowfall in Seattle, the extreme cold temperatures will present a risk of icy conditions. Residents and business owners are reminded that they are responsible for sidewalks adjacent to their own property and are encouraged to salt and shovel their properties to ensure they remain safe and accessible. Residents are encouraged to postpone road travel whenever possible, and exercise extreme caution if they choose to drive.  

 The following are updates from City departments and partners as the City is working to bring online additional warming centers beginning Monday, December 27:   

Seattle Department of Transportation: SDOT monitors weather conditions 24/7. SDOT snowplow trucks will begin patrolling on Friday, December 24. If snow begins to fall, crews will work 24 hours per day to clear Seattle’s most critical streets for buses and emergency services.  

As City workers prepare for snow, we are asking the public to get ready:   

• View a map to see Seattle’s snow plow routes. During snow events, use this online Storm Response Map to see real-time updates about road conditions and which roads SDOT has recently plowed.   

• Talk to your neighbors to see who may need help during a storm. Make a community plan to ensure that all the sidewalks on the block get shoveled. Make sure you have a shovel and salt ready or know who to ask if you need a helping hand.   

• Visit the SDOT Winter Weather webpage or read this blog post for more ideas. Visit MetroWinter.com for King County Metro transit updates.    

LOOK HERE

    https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/safety-first/winter-weather-response

Shelter and Outreach: The City of Seattle, along with the Salvation Army and Compass Housing Alliance, will open two Severe Weather Shelters to serve community members nightly who are experiencing homelessness. Each location will open at 7pm beginning Saturday, December 25  through at least Wednesday, December 29, and will serve adults over 18 of all genders. Weather forecasts will be monitored to determine if additional days of emergency shelter will be added and the City of Seattle continues to work with providers and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority to evaluate if additional spaces will be available.    

• Seattle Center Exhibition Hall – Operated by Salvation Army: 301 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109. Enter though main entrance off Mercer Street and go down the stairs. Serves 100+ people, all genders, 18+ years, non-aggressive leashed dogs and cats under owner control allowed. The Seattle Center campus hygiene station will be accessible.  The Armory opens daily at 10am for day warming.  

• Served directly by Metro Bus routes 3, 4, 5, 8, 16, 28, RapidRide E Line, and nearby routes include: 1, 13, and RapidRide D Line.  

• Compass Housing Alliance Shelter in Pioneer Square: 210 Alaskan Way South, Seattle, WA 98104. Enter at the corner of So. Washington and Alaskan Way. Serves 80+ people, all genders, 18+ years, service animals only at this location.  Day Center also available at this location.  

• Served by nearby public transit services (1-3 blocks away): Seattle Streetcar, Link Light Rail, routes 21, 29, 55, 56, 57, 101, 102, 111, 113, 114, 120, 121, 115, 150, 162, 177, 190, 212, 214, 216, 217, 218, 550, 554, RapidRide C, ST 590, ST 592, ST 594, ST 595, ST 577, ST 578, PT 410, PT, 415, PT 417, PT 422, PT 424, and Washington State Ferries. 

The City’s HOPE Team, working in coordination with a broad network of outreach partners over the coming days, will conduct outreach to community members about shelter options. Outreach coordination includes helping people connect with transportation shelter locations, which accept people throughout the night until they reach capacity. City staff are working with the YWCA and Mary’s Place to coordinate sheltering of families with children, and youth shelters have existing capacity for guests. Additionally, case management services for high-risk Aging and Disability Services clients are ongoing.   

• People, including youth, in need of shelter should call 2-1-1 or 1-877-211-9274   

• Parents or guardians caring for one or more child 18 years or younger can get emergency shelter help by calling the King County Coordinated Family Intake Line at 206-245-1026, 8am – 11:30pm, 365-days a year.    

• The YWCA’s women and family shelter intake line can be reached at 206-461-4882.   

Throughout the year, the City and HSD has been working hard to stand up new 24/7 enhanced shelters and tiny house villages over the fall and winter, opening 350 new non-congregate shelter spaces in the last three months alone. The City anticipates funding over 2,800 total shelter spaces by the end of the year, a 700 shelter unit increase over last year’s levels (Q4 2020) and more than 1,000 increase over 2017 levels. Additionally, 92% of City-funded shelter spaces are now 24/7 enhanced with wraparound onsite services – this compares to 75% pre-pandemic (Q4 2019).    

Day Centers and Warming Centers: A variety of public spaces like Seattle Public Libraries and the Seattle Center Armory are available for all community members to come inside during the day with the exception of Saturday, December 25. Compass Housing Alliance operates a day center at the same Pioneer Square location providing night shelter.   

Additional day centers, which are existing programs that are open year-round to support people experiencing homelessness, including during severe weather response, are on the King County Homelessness Authority guide and City’s Hygiene Map which can be filter to show locations across the city.   

The City is working with FAS and SPR to bring online additional warming centers.   

Seattle Center: Seattle Center Armory will maintain regular hours today, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., and serve as a warming center throughout the day. Seattle Center Monorail will operate from 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Weekdays and 8:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.   

Finance and Administrative Services: Facilities, fleets and logistics teams in the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) are actively engaged and prepared to support deicing 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. Additionally, FAS’ Customer Service Centers remain open per their regular schedules at this time and will close only if conditions require.  

Seattle City Light: Seattle City Light is prepared with necessary equipment, supplies, chains for trucks, etc., to respond to any outage. Should there be widespread outages, SCL has crews on standby ready to respond and work 24/7 until every single customer is back on. Tips for staying safe in case of an outage:   

• Be prepared for potential power outages with blankets, flashlights and batteries. And don’t forget to charge your devices so you can call if you need assistance, can keep an eye on the status with our online outage map (www.seattle.gov/light/outage), follow us on Twitter or Facebook, or pass the time.   

• If you see a downed power line, stay at least 35 feet away and call 9-1-1.   

• Avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by never bringing generators, camp stoves or barbeques indoors.  

Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) – Parents are encouraged to follow their preschool provider’s inclement weather policy. Preschool sites operated by Seattle Public Schools (SPS), including full-day programs, SPP, and Head Start should refer to SPS's adverse weather guidance posted on their website.   

Seattle Public Utilities - Solid waste collection operations are expected to be normal today citywide.   

• 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.  

• 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.  

If you suspect your pipes are frozen, follow these steps:    

• 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 hair dryer. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or other open flame device. 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.    

Seattle Parks and Recreation: All parks are open. Community centers and pools are expected to be open but some may be delayed on a case-by-case basis. Crews are on standby to address tree failures, and support city efforts to clear sidewalks. Please check online for details about specific sites and programs. Should there be enough snow, golf course will open for sledding and snow play. In the event of snow, stay out of heavily wooded areas as trees are more prone to failure when soil is very wet and branches are weighed down with snow.   

The Seattle Public Library: Seattle Public Library branches will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Libraries operate on regular service hours over the next week, dependent on weather impacts. Please go to https://www.spl.org/hours-and-locations for additional information on closures.  

Seattle Fire Department: The Seattle Fire Department has the following updates:   

• Remember to heat your home safely by keeping flammable items at least one foot from baseboard heaters, and three feet from portable heaters and fireplaces. Generators should never be used indoors. More tips on Fireline.   

• Sidewalks may look clear but could be icy when the cold weather hits. Make sure to wear shoes with good tread, reflective gear at night, and keep hands free from pockets in case you need to break a fall.   

• SFD's Health One Unit may be utilized to help transport unsheltered individuals to severe weather shelters beginning on Dec. 27, depending on department staffing levels. SFD’s Mobile Integrated Health Program Manager is working closely with other entities in the City for other transport options for individuals experiencing homelessness.