>> I THINK WE HAVE MADE IT
THROUGH THE WORST OF THIS
SERIES OF STORMS.
EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER IS
SHIFTING BACK TO OUR REGULAR
PATTERN WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE
SOME CHALLENGERS.
THE FORECAST IS RETURNING
TOMORROW TO THE TYPICAL SEATTLE
PATTERN OF RAIN BUT WE EXPECTED
TO BE MIXED WITH SNOW
PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER
ELEVATIONS.
AS THE SNOW MELTS WE WILL SEE A
NUMBER OF CHALLENGES IN THE
REGION AS WE TRY TO CLEAR OUT
THE SNOW AND ICE AND SLUSH
INCLUDING MAKING SURE THE STORM
DRAINS CAN KEEP CLEAR SO WE DO
NOT HAVE STANDING WATER AND
FLOODING IN THE AREA.
I KNOW THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN
EASY FOR FOLKS.
I REALLY WANT TO THINK THE
PEOPLE OF SEATTLE IN THIS REGION
FOR THEIR PATIENCE AND GETTING
THROUGH THIS.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK PEOPLE FOR
STEPPING UP.
WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE
STEPPING UP IN THEIR
NEIGHBORHOODS AND VOLUNTEERING
AT SHELTERS.
IT IS SHOWING US SEATTLE AT ITS
BEST.
WE HAVE SEEN OFFICIALLY OVER 20
INCHES OF SNOW IN THE MONTH OF
FEBRUARY AND IT IS ONLY
FEBRUARY 12.
IT IS A RECORD FOR SEATTLE AND
I THINK IT IS A RECORD FOR MOST
AMOUNT OF SNOW IN 40 YEARS.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR
DOING EVERYTHING THEY COULD.
WE KNOW WE HAVE SEEN IMPACTS
FOR EXAMPLE LAST NIGHT AS THE
SNOW BECAME HEAVIER WE SAW A
NUMBER OF POWER OUTAGES AS
TREES FELL OUR SPRING BACK
AGAINST POWER LINES.
SOMETIMES THEY WERE WIDESPREAD
AND SOMETIMES IT WAS ONE OR TWO
HOUSEHOLDS.
THE LARGEST HOUSE POWER OUTAGE
WAS ALMOST 40,000 AND YOU WILL
HEAR FROM DEBORAH WHO WILL TALK
TO ABOUT THE PATTERN OF
RESTORATION.
NOT EVERYBODY WILL GET THE
POWER BACK BEFORE TOMORROW.
WE ARE PREDICTING THAT THERE
WILL BE FREEZING TEMPERATURES
PROBABLY EVERY NIGHT.
WITH THAT THE ROADS WILL
CONTINUE TO ICE UP AND
SIDEWALKS WILL ICE UP.
WE WANT TO EXPRESS TO PEOPLE TO
BE CAUTIOUS.
METRO HAS INFORMED US THEY WILL
STAY ON WINTER EMERGENCY ROUTES
TOMORROW SO IF YOU COUNT ON
TRANSIT PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF
YOUR BUS IS COMING AND WHAT
TIME.
WE KNOW THAT WITH THIS SNOW
EVENT LAST NIGHT RIGHT AT
COMMUTING TIME THAT HUNDREDS OF
BUSES GOT STUCK.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY
WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
KEEP THOSE MAIN ARTERIALS THE
GREEN AND GOLD ROUTES OPEN BUT
WE ARE MONITORING THAT AS WE
GO.
WE ARE WORKING WITH SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE HELPED
THEM CLEAR THE BUS LOT SO THERE
BUSES COULD GET OUT SO WE CAN
PICK KIDS UP.
WE ARE EMPHASIZING CLEARING THE
AREAS ON THE ARTERIALS WHERE
THE BUSES GO AS WELL AS PICKUP
AND DROP-OFF PLACES IN AND OUT
OF THE SCHOOLS.
THAT IS STILL A LOT OF WORK
AHEAD OF US.
I ALSO WANT TO THINK BOTH THE
PEOPLE AND THE BUSINESSES OF
SEATTLE.
LIKE I SAID I WAS ABLE
YESTERDAY TO GO TO THE GARFIELD
COMMUNITY CENTER SHELTER.
AS I WAS THERE A NUMBER OF
PEOPLE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WALKING IN SAYING WHAT CAN WE
DO TO HELP.
WE ARE HERE. SOME OF THEM CAME
WITH THEIR KIDS AND SOME CAME
BY THEMSELVES WONDERING HOW
THEY COULD DO IT.
WE ALSO HAD A NUMBER OF
BUSINESSES STAND UP TO HELP US
WITH THE NAVIGATION TEAM WHICH
HAS BEEN WORKING AROUND THE
CLOCK TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF
THEIR TENTS AND VEHICLES AND
DOORWAYS WHERE WAS UNSAFE INTO
SHELTERS.
AMAZON DELIVERED HUNDREDS OF
PIECES OF CLOTHING AND FOOD SO
THE NAVIGATION TEAM WOULD HAVE
THOSE SUPPLIES.
COSTCO ALSO STEPPED UP.
THEY GAVE US GLOVES AND SOCKS
AND COATS AND FOOD.
NORDSTROM'S ALSO GAVE US
ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES AND
STARBUCKS HAS STARTED
DELIVERING HOT COFFEES AND TEAS
AND ONE BRINKS TO THE SHELTER
SOME PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THE
COLD WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE HOT
BEVERAGES.
BOTH OUR BUSINESSES AND THE
PEOPLE OF SEATTLE HAVE REALLY
STEPPED UP.
WE SENT TO PEOPLE MAKE IT A
BLOCK PARTY.
WE GOT REPORTS BACK BOTH
ANECDOTALLY AND ON TWITTER AND
THINGS LIKE THAT OF PEOPLE THAT
ACTUALLY DID GO OUT AND THEY
SHARE THEIR SHOVELS AND WORKED
TOGETHER.
IF ANYBODY IS WONDERING HOW
THEY CAN CONTINUE WE WILL BE
SETTING UP A VOLUNTEER PLACE
WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO BECAUSE WE
HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO
CONTINUE BOTH THE GARFIELD AND
BITTER LAKE SHELTERS THROUGH AT
LEAST NEXT MONDAY BECAUSE WE
WANT TO MAKE SURE.
WE HAVE HAD THIS OPPORTUNITY
WHERE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER
COME INSIDE BEFORE HAVE COME
INSIDE AND WE WANT TO BE SURE
WE GET THEM EVALUATED AND
CONNECT THEM WITH SERVICES THAT
ARE AVAILABLE FOR THEM AND KEEP
THEM.
WE PROBABLY WILL NEED
VOLUNTEERS IN EACH OF THOSE
PLACES.
WE DO NOT HAVE THE PLACE YOU
CAN GO YET BUT WE WILL HAVE
THAT SHORTLY.
ANYONE WHO HAS A QUESTION FOR ME
YOU CAN ALWAYS REACH ME AT MY
EMAIL ADDRESS.
OUR GOALS REALLY REMAIN THE
SAME.
WE HAVE TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.
WE ARE THROUGH THE WORST OF THE
WEATHER BUT IT WILL CONTINUE TO
BE ASSOCIATED EVENTS RELATED TO
POWER OUTAGES.
PERHAPS FLOODING.
WE ARE CHECKING CAREFULLY TO
MAKE SURE WE DO NOT HAVE
LANDSLIDES. WE ARE WORKING WITH
METRO TO MAKE SURE WE CAN KEEP
THE BUSES RUNNING AS CLEAR AS
POSSIBLE.
WE HAVE HAD 36 SDOT TRUCKS THAT
ARE OUT ROVING AND DOING
ARTERIALS AND A NUMBER OF CREWS
FROM THE PARKS DEPARTMENT AND
SDOT DOING HAND SHOVELS AND THE
LIKE.
WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE
CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO
DO TO GET THE ROADS CLEAN.
I WILL TELL YOU IF YOU ARE IN A
RESIDENTIAL AREA HAVE PATIENCE.
YOU WILL NOT SEE SNOW PLOWS IN
EVERY RESIDENTIAL AREA.
WE WILL BE EVALUATING THE
HIGHEST PRIORITY ONCE.
AS THE SNOW MELTS AND THAWS
ANOTHER DANGER IS BECAUSE OF
THE LIMITED VISIBILITY THAT
SNOWPLOWS HAVE AND KIDS ARE OUT
OF SCHOOL WE DO NOT NECESSARILY
WANT THOSE PLOWS IN RESIDENTIAL
NEIGHBORHOODS FOR SAFETY
REASONS.
SO AGAIN THE EMERGENCY SHELTER
WILL REMAIN OPEN THROUGH
MONDAY.
WILL GIVE YOU MORE NUMBERS ON
THAT.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE OF OUR
PARTNERS.
FIRE AND POLICE AND SDOT
EVERYBODY HAS COME TOGETHER AND
HAS BEEN SHARING RESOURCES AND
EMPLOYEES IN A WAY THAT I THINK
EVERYONE IN THE CITY SHOULD BE
VERY PROUD OF.
WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE WORKING 12
HOUR SHIFTS BACK TO BACK FOR A
PERIOD OF TIME NOW.
THEY ARE GETTING TIRED BUT THEY
ARE PROUD OF THE WORK THEY HAVE
DONE.
IF THERE IS ANYBODY THAT YOU
ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AS THIS
WEATHER EVENT CONTINUES THE
CRISIS LINE IS TOO ONE-ON-ONE.
PLEASE CALL THAT.
IF YOU SEE SOMEONE THAT IS IN
NEED OF SOMETHING IMMEDIATE
THAT IS A REAL EMERGENCY PLEASE
CALL 911.
IT IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER TOUGH
FEW DAYS YESTERDAY AND LAST
NIGHT WAS PROBABLY THE ROUGHEST
SPELL WE HAVE HAD ON THE ROADS
AND FOR POWER.
I WANT TO REALLY THANK EVERYONE
FOR THEIR PATIENCE.
YOU WILL HEAR NOW FROM A NUMBER
OF PEOPLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT
SO WE WILL LET YOU KNOW.
ONE THING THAT EVERYBODY IS
LOOKING NOW AS THEY TAKE
THEMSELVES OUT WHAT ABOUT MY
BUS METRO IS NOT HERE TODAY BUT
WE WILL REFER YOU TO THEIR LINE
FOR THEIR SNOW ROUTE.
WE HAVE SAM TO TALK ABOUT THE
STREETS AND WE WILL TELL YOU
ABOUT TRASH PICKUP AND LIGHT
SERVICE AND THE LIKE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE
PEOPLE OF SEATTLE FOR THEIR
EXTENDED PATIENCE AND THANK YOU
FOR STEPPING UP AND HELPING HER
NEIGHBORS.
>> SAM ZIMBABWE FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
TO REEMPHASIZE A COUPLE THINGS
THE MAYOR ALREADY TOUCHED ON WE
ARE RECOVERING FROM THE HEAVY
SNOW LAST NIGHT BOTH HEAVY AND
VOLUME AND HEAVY IN WEIGHT.
THE GREEN AND GOLD ARTERIALS ARE
INVARIABLE CONDITION RIGHT NOW.
WE STILL HAVE SLUSH ON SOME OF
THEM AND WE ARE WORKING TO GET
THEM CLEAR.
AS SOON AS WE CAN GET THEM
CLEAR THE NEXT PRIORITY TODAY
IS TO TRY TO HELP SCHOOLS
GETTING PLOWS TO SCHOOL BUS
DROVE UP AND PARENT DROP-OFF
AREAS AND HELPING METRO WITH
THEIR OPERATION.
WE ARE IN VERY CLOSE
COMMUNICATION WITH THEM ABOUT
WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE WITHIN THE
CITY AND HOW THEIR TURN BACKS
ON SMALLER STREETS AND THINGS
LIKE THAT TO KEEP THEM OPEN.
WE ARE ALSO HELPING WITH ANY
AREAS OF PLUGGED STORM DRAINS
TO HELP WITH ANY FLOODING
ISSUES.
THAT'S WHAT WE FIRST SEE FOR
THE NEXT 24 HOURS OF OUR WORK.
AS THE MAYOR SAID THE
PREDICTION IS FOR FREEZING
TEMPERATURES AGAIN OVER THE
NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS OVERNIGHT
SO PLEASE IF YOU NEED TO DRIVE
BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT
CONDITIONS.
WE STILL HAVE A NUMBER OF
STREET CLOSED SIGNS OUT.
THOSE ARE STILL IN PLACE FOR
PEOPLE SAFETY.
PLEASE DO NOT GO AROUND THE
HOUSE AND WE HAVE SEEN AN
UPTICK IN THE NUMBER OF CRASHES
AS PEOPLE ARE EAGER TO GET BACK
TO THEIR DAILY LIVES.
PLEASE BE AWARE AND MAKE SURE
IF YOU ARE WALKING GIVE PEOPLE
TIME TO STOP AND IF YOU ARE
DRIVING BE SURE YOU GIVE
YOURSELF TIME TO STOP FOR
PEDESTRIANS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
AGAIN PLEASE CLEAR YOUR
SIDEWALKS AS SOON AS HE CAN.
TAKE ANY BREAK IN THE WEATHER
THAT YOU CAN'T TO GET OUT THERE
AND CLEAR THEM OFF.
IT'S MUCH EASIER THAN ONCE IT
FREEZES.
>> I AM DEBORAH SMITH WITH
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT.
CLEARLY I USE THE WORD
FORTUNATE ONE TOO MANY TIMES
THE LAST FEW DAYS BECAUSE THAT
ENDED LAST NIGHT.
WHAT WE HAD WAS A LOT OF SPRING
BACKS.
THERE WAS A HEAVY SNOW AND IN
PARTICULAR YESTERDAY AFTERNOON
REALLY HEAVY SNOW IN THE NORTH
PART OF THE SYSTEM.
IT PUSHED DOWN ON VEGETATION
AND AS THE SNOW MELTED AND
WARMER WEATHER CAME IN BRANCHES
AND VEGETATION SPRING BACK AND
GOT INTO THE LINES.
WE HAVE HAD ALL SORTS OF
EVENTS.
WE'VE HAD EVERYTHING FROM
SINGLE HOMES WHERE WE ARE
GETTING A DROP INTO A
RESIDENCE.
WE HAD SOME TRANSMISSION LINE
ISSUES AND WE HAVE HAD ALL
KINDS OF SERVICE LINES AND
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AS WELL AS
FEEDERS.
IT HAS BEEN KIND OF ROLLING.
WE KNOW THAT THE PEAK WAS
39,000 CUSTOMERS LAST NIGHT.
AS WE WERE STANDING HERE I GOT
A NEW SERVICE MOMENT NOTICE AS
MORE FOLKS THAT ARE OUT THAT IS
PROBABLY PART OF THE
RESTORATION PROCESS.
THAT IS ONE THING THAT FOLKS
CAN NO IS OFTEN AS WE RESTORE
SERVICE IT REQUIRES AT TIMES
TAKING OTHER FOLKS OUT WHILE WE
RE-ENERGIZE PART OF THE SYSTEM.
WE GET A ROLLING IMPACT AND I
DO NOT HAVE A NUMBER YET FOR
HOW MANY FOLKS TOTAL HAVE BEEN
IMPACTED BY POWER OUTAGES IN
THE LAST 24 HOURS BUT WE WILL
GET THAT FOR YOU AS SOON AS WE
CAN.
WE'VE HAD ALL OF OUR CREWS IN
AND WE ARE WORKING WITH CREWS
FROM LAST NIGHT WHO ARE STILL
ON THE JOB AND A WHOLE SLEW OF
FRESH ONES THAT JOIN THEM THIS
MORNING.
WE ARE WATCHING CAREFULLY TO
MAKE SURE FOLKS ARE RESTED AND
SAFE.
WE EXPECT THAT RESTORATION NOW
ABOUT 4000 CUSTOMERS THAT ARE
OUT IS AT THE POINT WHERE IT
REALLY SLOWS.
OUR RESTORATION PROTOCOL I
THINK MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT IS
WE TRY TO GET AS MANY FOLKS ON
AS WE CAN AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE.
THAT MEANS AS TIMELINES YOU ARE
DEALING WITH SMALL NUMBERS OF
OUTAGES THAT OFTEN REQUIRE LINE
PATROLLING AND IT IS FAR MORE
LABOR-INTENSIVE.
UNFORTUNATELY WE SUSPECT IT
WILL BE TOMORROW MORNING IF NOT
TOMORROW AFTERNOON BEFORE ALL
OF OUR CUSTOMERS ARE BACK ON
BUT WE HOPE THAT WE CAN DO
BETTER THAN THAT.
IN THE MEANTIME IT IS COLD AND
WET.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED
KINDNESS TO OUR CREWS IF YOU
SEE THEM AND KNOW THAT THEY ARE
DOING THEIR VERY BEST FOR YOU.
>> HELLO THIS IS JASON JOHNSON
WITH THE CITY OF SEATTLE HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
OUR PRIORITY REMAINS GETTING
PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS INDOORS IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH KING COUNTY WE
HAVE OPENED SEVERAL NEW
SHELTERS WITH MORE THAN 550
EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS CREATED
DURING THIS WEATHER EVENT.
WE HAVE CREATED SEPARATE SPACES
AND SOMETIMES EVEN SEPARATE
SHELTERS FOR MEN, YOUTH,
FAMILIES, WOMEN TO COME INSIDE
AND FEEL SAFE.
WE ARE ALSO COORDINATING
MEDICAL SERVICES AS WELL AS
OTHER SERVICES THAT PEOPLE NEED
IT THOSE SHELTER FACILITIES.
AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED GARFIELD
AND BITTER LAKE COMMUNITY
CENTER SHELTERS WILL REMAIN
OPEN THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.
LIKEWISE THE EXHIBITION HALL AT
SEATTLE CENTER AND TO THE
ARMORY WILL BOTH BE AVAILABLE
AND OPEN UNTIL MONDAY MORNING.
WE HAVE THOSE SHELTER RESOURCES.
THEY ARE OPEN CONTINUOUSLY
WHILE THE WEATHER CONTINUES TO
DEVELOP.
WE ARE ALSO COORDINATING WITH
SERVICE PROVIDERS TO WORK ON
EXIT PLANS FOR PEOPLE STAYING
IN THE SHELTERS.
THOSE COULD INCLUDE ASSESSING
THEM FOR HOUSING PLACEMENTS AND
MATCHING THEM WITH OTHER
SERVICES IN THE AREA THAT THEY
MAY NEED BUT DOING THAT
UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ENTIRE
SYSTEM IS STRAINED RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT
HAVE ALSO, LIKE CITY WORKERS
BEEN WORKING 24/7 AND REALLY
TRYING TO MAXIMIZE SPACES AND
STAFFING TO SERVE PEOPLE DURING
THIS CRISIS.
I WANT TO GIVE MY THANKS AND
APPRECIATION TO THOSE SERVICE
PROVIDERS.
TO THE CITY AND ITS ABILITY TO
SERVE OUR VULNERABLE RESIDENTS
IS ONLY AS STRONG AS OUR
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SERVICE
PROVIDERS AND WE ARE REALLY
THANKFUL THAT THEY HAVE
CONTINUED TO KEEP THEIR DOORS
OPEN.
YESTERDAY WE DID A FULL CHECK
UP ALL OF OUR CONTRACTED
PROVIDERS AND VERY VERY FEW OF
THEM HAD TO KEEP THEIR DOORS
CLOSED.
SO REALLY WE WANT TO HONOR THE
FACT THAT THEY KEPT THEIR DOORS
OPEN AND STAYED IN BUSINESS AND
CONTINUED TO SERVE PEOPLE.
I ALSO WANT TO THINK THE HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES.
IN PARTICULAR THE NAVIGATION
TEAM AND THE FOLKS IN OUR
HOMELESS STRATEGY AND
INVESTMENT DIVISION.
THEY REALLY HAVE BEEN WORKING
AROUND THE CLOCK COMBING THE
STREETS AND MAKING SURE THAT
EVERY INDIVIDUAL KNOWS WHAT
SHELTER RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE
AND HAS SOME TRANSPORTATION TO
GET TO AN INDOOR FACILITY.
OVER THIS FOUR NIGHTS THE
NAVIGATION CENTERS OUTREACH HAS
GONE 137 PEOPLE OUT OF THE COLD
AND INTO SHELTER.
I WANT TO HONOR THEM AND THANK
THEM.
THEY CONTINUE TO CALM THE
STREETS TODAY AND TONIGHT.
THEY ARE INSIDE THE SHELTERS
MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE SAFE.
THEY ARE DOING INCREDIBLE LIFE-
SAVING WORK AND I'M INCREDIBLY
THANKFUL TO BE PART OF THE TEAM.
>> I ALSO WANT TO THANK
NORDSTROM, AMAZON, STARBUCKS,
AND COSTCO FOR BEING GREAT
PARTNERS IN DONATING ITEMS.
THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DONATE A
NUMBER OF FOOD ITEMS AS WELL AS
ITEMS TO KEEP PEOPLE WARM LIKE
GLOVES AND SOCKS AND UNDERWEAR.
BLANKETS AND COATS AND THOSE
DONATIONS WENT TO THE
NAVIGATION TEAM. THE NAVIGATION
TEAM HAS THE ABILITY TO OFFER
THOSE ITEMS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO
REMAIN OUTDOORS.
THEY ARE ALSO DISTRIBUTING MANY
OF THOSE ITEMS TO THE SHELTERS
THAT ARE STAYING OPEN FOR A
STRETCH TO BE ABLE TO FEED
FOLKS.
PEOPLE COME IN VERY WET SO
THESE ITEMS ARE REALLY PART OF
THIS LIFE-SAVING EFFORT AND I
JUST WANT TO HONOR AND THANK
THOSE BUSINESSES FOR REALLY
STEPPING UP.
FINALLY I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT
WE ARE ALSO CALLING VULNERABLE
CITIZENS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY
AND MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS
ESPECIALLY WHO ARE HOMEBOUND
HAVE THE SERVICES AND SUPPORT
THAT THEY NEED.
WE HAVE BEEN DOING PHONE TREES
SINCE SUNDAY AND I'M HAPPY TO
REPORT THAT PEOPLE DO HAVE THE
SUPPORTS THAT THEY NEED.
AGAIN SERVICE PROVIDERS AS WELL
AS STAFF ARE DOING EVERYTHING
POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED
SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR
HOMES AND IN THESE SHELTERS AND
I AM INCREDIBLY THANKFUL FOR
THEIR EFFORTS.
>> GOOD MORNING.
SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES.
GARBAGE, RECYCLING, YARD AND
FOOD WASTE COLLECTION IS
DEPENDENT ON SAFE ROAD AND
WEATHER CONDITIONS BOTH FOR OUR
DRIVERS AND FOR RESIDENTS ON
THE PROPERTY.
THIS SERIES OF WINTER STORMS
LINED UP ONE AND AFTER THE
OTHER HAS PRESENTED A HISTORIC
CHALLENGE TO OUR DRIVERS WHO
PICK UP SOLID WASTE.
WE KNOW THAT IT IS VERY
FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU ARE
RECYCLING FOOD AND YARD WASTE
AND ESPECIALLY GARBAGE IS NOT
PICKED UP SO WE REALLY
APPRECIATE THE PATIENT'S.
AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE MUST
WAIT FOR THE NEXT SAFE
COLLECTION WINDOW.
SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND
CONTRACTORS HAVE BEEN DRIVING
AND ASSESSING THE ROADS
CONTINUOUSLY AND HAVE BEEN
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF EVERY
WEATHER OPPORTUNITY.
TODAY CREWS RUNNING MULTI
FAMILY AND COMMERCIAL TRUCKS
WILL PICK UP ACCESSIBLE GARBAGE
RECYCLING AND FOOD WASTE.
BECAUSE OF CONTINUED SNOW AND
ICE ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS
CREWS ARE UNABLE TO COLLECT
GARBAGE RECYCLING AND YARD
FITTED RICE TODAY FOR THE
MONDAY CUSTOMERS.
MONDAY CUSTOMERS ARE OUR
PRIORITY FOR PICK UP SO IF
CONDITIONS ALLOW THEIR WASTE
WILL BE PICKED UP TOMORROW.
CUSTOMERS CAN SET UP THEIR
GARBAGE FREE OF CHARGE.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY CUSTOMERS
WILL BE COLLECTED ON A DELAYED
SCHEDULE AND SERVICES WILL BE
EXTENDED THROUGH THE WEEKEND.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT
ANNOUNCEMENT WE WOULD LIKE TO
MAKE FOR FOLKS WHO COLLECTIONS
HAVE BEEN DELAYED FOR MORE THAN
ONE WEEK.
THE CITY WILL ALLOW FREE
DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE RECYCLING
AND FOOD WASTE AT CITY STATIONS
, CITY TRANSFER STATIONS
BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 16 FOR
ANY RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS WHOSE
COLLECTIONS HAVE BEEN DELAYED
FOR MORE THAN A WEEK.
WE WILL PROVIDE THE LATEST
UPDATES AND DETAILS ABOUT SOLID
WASTE COLLECTIONS HONOR WEBSITE
. PLEASE SIGN UP FOR
NOTIFICATIONS PUBLIC UTILITIES
CREWS RELATED TO WATER OR
WASTEWATER AND DRAINAGE. IF
CUSTOMERS HAVE FROZEN PIPES
PLEASE DO NOT USE A BLOWTORCH,
KEROSENE HEATER, OR PROPANE
HEATER, CHARCOAL STOVE, OR ANY
OPEN FLAME TO THAW YOUR PIPES.
IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
WE HAVE TIPS ON HOW TO THAW
PIPES AS WELL AS PROTECTING
THEM FROM FREEZING ON OUR
WEBSITE. TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE
FREEZING TODAY SO AS SNOW AND
ICE SLOWLY MELT FLOODING
BECOMES A SERIOUS CONCERN AS
ICED OVER STORM DRAINS PREVENT
MELTED SNOW AND RAIN FROM
ENTERING THE STORM DRAINS.
WE HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
DRAINS IN THE CITY AND YOU CAN
HELP PREVENT LOCALIZED FLOODING
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD BY
CLEARING THE DRAIN AND LET'S
NEAR YOUR HOME WITH A SNOW
SHOVEL.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A SNOW
SHOVEL YOU CAN USE A GARDEN
SHOVEL, RAKE, OR DUSTPAN AND
MAKE SURE TO GET THE OPENINGS
IN THE DRAINS TO ALLOW WATER TO
FLOW THROUGH.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO WORK FROM
THE SIDEWALK OR PARKING STRIP
AND STAY OUT OF THE STREET WHEN
YOU ARE CLEARING YOUR DRAINS
AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON I AM
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS WITH
SEATTLE PARKS.
I WILL TAKE THE MAYOR FOR THEIR
TEAM. WE HAVE COMMUNITY CENTERS
OPEN ACROSS THE CITY.
WE HAVE SIX OUT OF 10 PUBLIC
SWIMMING POOLS AVAILABLE TODAY.
WE DO NOT OPERATE BEFORE AND
AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE PROGRAMS
WHEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
DISCLOSED.
WE MIRROR THEIR SCHEDULE.
WE ARE OPERATING TWO EMERGENCY
SHELTERS YESTERDAY THEY SAID
THE COMBINED 300 MEALS TO
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SHELTERS.
WE HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT STAFF
IS WORKING 12 AND 15 HOUR SHIFTS
AND WE ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND
THE POOL OF EMPLOYEES WHO CAN'T
BE AVAILABLE TO WORK THE
SHELTERS AS WE STAY OPEN UNTIL
MONDAY.
THE MAINTENANCE CREWS ARE
HELPING OUT JUST TO CLEAR
ACROSS THE CITY WE HAVE ALSO
ASKED THEM TO CLEAN THE STORM
DRAINS.
THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE. WE ARE
ASKING NATURAL AREA CREWS TO
MONITOR HILLS IN THE 2500 ACRES
OF GREEN BUILDS. WE ARE KEEPING
AN EYE ON SLIDE PRONE AREAS TO
PAY ATTENTION TO THAT.
THE TREES HAVE COME DOWN A
BUCKLED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF
SNOW AND ICE SO THESE ARE THE
ACTIVITIES THAT YOUR LOCAL PARK
AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT IS
ENGAGING IN. I ALSO WANT TO
GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO SPU WHO
HELP THE STAFF AT THE BITTER
LAKE COMMUNITY CENTER YESTERDAY.
>> I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR
FOR HER LEADERSHIP DURING THIS
DIFFICULT TIME AND THINK THE
COMMUNITY AND OUR PARTNERS AND
ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS BUT MOST
OF ALL THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS
WHO HAVE BEEN OUT THERE FROM
ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT
DEPARTMENTS EACH AND EVERY DAY.
PLEASE MAINTAIN SITUATIONAL
AWARENESS..
LET'S NOT HAVE DEVICES THAT ARE
MEANT FOR OUTDOORS BROUGHT
INSIDE FOR COOKING AND WARMING.
IF YOU GET A NOTICE THAT YOUR
POWER WILL BE OUT OVERNIGHT
THERE ARE SHELTERS AND THERE
ARE FRIENDS THAT YOU SHOULD GO
TO LET'S MAINTAIN SITUATIONAL
AWARENESS IF YOU ARE WALKING
AND DRIVING AROUND THE
COMMUNITY LET'S BE PAYING
ATTENTION. THAT WILL BE VERY
IMPORTANT FOR US.
AS THE SNOW BEGINS TO MELT THEY
ARE ALL WORKING PROPERLY THEY
START PUTTING UP LADDERS AND
CLEARING THE DRAINS WE KNOW
THAT THE SNOW WAS HEAVY AND WET
AND IF IT STARTS TO FLY DOWN IT
HAS THE POTENTIAL TO KNOCK YOU
OFF THOSE LETTERS.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR
SAFETY IS WHAT WE ARE ASKING.
THANK YOU.
>> INC.
YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I WANT TO TAKE SOME Q&A BUT
AGAIN JUST THINK EVERYBODY THAT
STEPPED OFF FROM THE
DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE CITY BUT
IT IS HEARTWARMING TO SEE
EVERYDAY WHEN I HAVE GONE OUT
AND TALKS TO PEOPLE.
YESTERDAY AT THE GARFIELD
COMMUNITY CENTER THE WOMAN THAT
IS RUNNING THE KITCHEN THERE IS
AN EMPLOYEE OF PARKS AND
RECREATION.
SHE USUALLY WORKS IN THE POLLS
BUT SHE HAD BEEN A CHEF BEFORE
THAT.
SHE HAD BOTH HER SON AND MOTHER
THERE HELPING.
SHE TOLD A STORY THAT SHE WAS
NOT SURE OF WHAT WOULD BE THE
WISH LIST.
THEY TOOK A PICTURE OF THEIR
PHONE AND SHORTLY CAME BACK
WITH EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED.
WE REALLY SHOW A LEVEL OF
KINDNESS AND PATIENCE THAT WILL
GET THROUGH THIS NEXT BLOG.
WE THINK WE HAVE EXECUTED AS
WELL AS WE COULD HAVE BUT WE
ARE LEARNING LESSONS ALL THE
WAY THROUGH BUT WE WANT TO SAVE
FIRST AND LAST THANK YOU FOR
EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY HAS
DONE.
QUESTIONS?
>> I REALIZE THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT IS NOT HERE BUT THERE
WAS A MENTION OF FOCUS ON METRO
ROUTES AND AREAS WHERE KIDS
WILL BE DROPPED OFF AND PICKED
UP. HOW MUCH PRESSURE THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT BUT ON THE CITY
TO TRY TO CLEAR OUT THESE AREAS
NEAR SCHOOLS?
>> IT DID NOT EVEN TAKE
PRESSURE.
SAM ZIMBABWE HAS BEEN WORKING
WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THE
WHOLE WAY THROUGH TO DETERMINE
WHEN THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE
SAFE.
AND MARKET IN THE BUSES AROUND
THE CONTRACTORS LOT THAT'S WHAT
IT TOOK TO GET THE KIDS OUT OF
SCHOOL BUT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING
TO SEE HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT
THE ROUTES.
WE HAVE ISSUES THAT WE ARE
GOING OUT TO HELP THOSE
LOCATIONS.
WE ARE TRYING TO HELP GET
EVERYBODY BACK AND RUNNING.
>> SO WE WILL PUSH FOR TOMORROW?
>> I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO
THAT.
THEY WILL HAVE TO SS BECAUSE A
LOT OF THEIR BUSES GO ON
ARTERIALS BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO
MAKE SURE THAT PARENTS CAN GET
KIDS TO WHERE THE BUSES ARE
PICKING UP.
WE WILL TRY TO GET AN UPDATE ON
THAT AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO
REACH OUT TO YOU.
>> YOU SAID THAT RESIDENTIAL
AREAS ARE NOT A PRIORITY FOR
SNOWPLOWS BECAUSE OF SAFETY
CONCERNS.
>> THEY ARE A PRIORITY BUT WE
HAVE TO ASSESS ALL THE
RESIDENTIAL ROADS AND WHICH
ONES CAN BE CLEARED MOST SAFELY
FIRST.
THEY ARE ASSESSING IT.
DURING UP TO THIS POINT THE
PRIMARY ROUTES WITH THE CLEARING
FOR FIRE RESCUE AND POLICE.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO GET INTO
THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF RESIDENTIAL
STREETS HERE SO WE WON'T GET TO
EVERYBODY.
AGAIN, I WANT TO ECHO WHAT SAM
SAID.
THERE WILL REMAIN STREETS THAT
ARE CLOSED.
DOES ROAD CLOSED SIGNS DO
REALLY MEAN THE ROAD IS CLOSED.
SO LET'S BE SMART.
TRY TO STAY OFF THE ROAD AND IF
YOU DO THAT WE WILL GET THROUGH
THIS BUT IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME
FOR ALL OF THE AREAS TO GET
CLEAR.
WE WILL GET TO IT.
IF THERE'S A PARTICULARLY
UNSAFE AREA REPORT THAT TO US.
>> I THINK YOU SAID THE DRIVERS
VISIBILITY WITH KIDS ON THE
RESIDENTIAL AREAS IS A PROBLEM.
IS THAT BECAUSE OF SLIDING?
IS THAT AN ISSUE?
>> SOME OF THE STREETS ARE WIDE
AND SOME ARE VERY NARROW WITH
CARS PARKED ON BOTH SIDES.
WHEN KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL IF
YOU'RE TRYING TO SEE WHICH ROAD
TO PLOW DOWN AND YOU CANNOT SEE
BECAUSE OF PARKED CARS WE HAVE
TO TAKE THAT INTO ASSESSMENT.
WE ALSO WANT PARENTS TO BE
AWARE BECAUSE KIDS ARE PROBABLY
AT THEIR MOST RESTLESS RIGHT
NOW AND PARENTS THE MOST
EXASPERATED.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE MAKE
MISSED WORK BECAUSE OF THE
STORM SO MAKE SURE THAT THE
KIDS ARE NOT TRYING TO GET THAT
LAST BIT OF SNOW ARE SLIDING IN
AND THE PLACE THAT'S NOT SAFE.
>> THERE WAS A LOT OF EMPHASIS
TODAY ABOUT STORM DRAINS
GETTING CLEARED.
ON A LOT OF STREETS THERE'S
APARTMENT UNITS.
WHO IS RESPONSE WHOSE
RESPONSIBILITY IS IT TO GET
THOSE DRAINS CLEARED WHEN IT IS
A LITTLE BIT UNCLEAR?
>> WE ARE TRYING TO HIT AS MANY
OF THE STORM DRAINS AS
POSSIBLE.
PARKS ARE GOING AROUND AND SDOT
IS HITTING THERE'S . IF YOU SEE
A STORM DRAIN IN HER
NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU CAN CALL
SAFELY CLEAR PLEASE CLEAR.
>> IS THERE AN OBLIGATION FOR
HOMEOWNERS TO CLEAR THE SIDEWALK
. IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE IT
DONE BUT IS THERE AN OBLIGATION?
>> MAINTENANCE OF THE SIDEWALKS
ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER.
IF YOU HAVE A SIDEWALK OUTSIDE
HER HOUSE IF YOU ARE MULTI
FAMILY IT IS YOUR OBLIGATION TO
KEEP THAT CLEAR AND CLEAN.
THAT IS NOT JUST FOR SNOW AND
ICE.
THAT MEANS KEEP IT IN GOOD
REPAIR MAKE SURE THE ROOTS ARE
NOT PUSHING SIDEWALKS UP AND
MAKE SURE PEOPLE WILL NOT TRIP.
IN THIS INCIDENT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT THE SHOVELING.
IT IS ALSO WHAT IS THE RIGHT
THING TO DO FOR YOU AND YOUR
NEIGHBORS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.