As first reported during our afternoon updates on the rainstorm’s aftermath, a slide has closed Beach Drive in the 6000-6200 block (map). The video above is our :30 survey of the scene, while checking it out just before sunset. The mud brought debris onto the northbound lane and took out a tree that, as the video shows, snagged utility wires on the water side of the street. Here’s a static view of what slid:
This is immediately north of the spot where a similar slide closed the road this past January. SDOTfinally sent official word of the new slide/closure within the past hour, saying it’s one of two streets in the city closed for “slope stability issues,” and that it “will remain closed overnight and will be re-assessed in morning once there is daylight.” A resident who said she lives over the slope that slid – explaining, “That’s our tree” – pointed out another spot with cascading water/mud down the slope further south, over the small retaining wall put up following the January slide:
Last year’s slide closed the road for less than a day but left it narrowed to one lane at that spot for more than a month; the city was reported to be working with upslope property owner(s) on a permanent solution, though we don’t have final word on whether that included anything beyond the roadside retaining barricade.
This one was NOT planned, so we’re sharing it to warn everybody who heads home via 1st Avenue South southbound. Just in from SDOT:
The southbound, right hand lane of First Ave S, between the First Ave off-ramp from SR99 and Royal Brougham Way, was closed this afternoon for an emergency repair to a fiber optic line. At this time we do not have an estimated time for reopening the lane.
4:01 PM UPDATE: Another update from SDOT:
Construction crews have closed the right lane of southbound First Avenue S. between S. Dearborn Street and S. Royal Brougham Way to repair a damaged fiber optic line. The closure is not affecting the southbound off-ramp from the Alaskan Way Viaduct. It is too soon to determine how long the closure is expected to last. Repairs could last into the weekend.
As promised, we followed up with SDOTon the issue raised by commenter “Pha-la-la” following coverage of a crash on the West Seattle Bridge night before last. In short, the crash led to the closure of the westbound bridge, east of 99, for more than an hour, and drivers were diverted onto the “low bridge” – and a backup ensued when that bridge opened for marine traffic. Asked “Pha-la-la” in her/his lengthy comment that seemed to pithily summarize many longrunning West Seattle traffic complaints; before this part of the comment, they had run through the process of getting diverted from the then-closed high bridge, creeping westward:
… Finally, lower West Seattle bridge appears like an oasis on the horizon. But, uh oh, lower bridge is, ding ding ding…opening? Why is lower bridge opening? Hasn’t anyone informed the lower bridge Controller that the upper bridge is kinda closed from I-5 and traffic is being diverted to lower bridge. Give ME the Controller’s phone number and I’ll call him/her. This is how you coordinate traffic. We need to bring the pieces TOGETHER so they work TOGETHER. …
We asked SDOT why an emergency closure of the high bridge wouldn’t put low-bridge openings on hold – especially considering that emergency responders would need one route to be open in case of a major incident (like a structure fire) bringing in resources from across the Duwamish. Spokesperson Marybeth Turner‘s reply:
Unfortunately SDOT does not have a choice of whether or not to open the Spokane Street swing bridge to marine traffic. Federal laws for navigable waters require us to open for vessels regardless of whether or not the West Seattle high level bridge is open. The Fire Department is notified when the bridges are closed to traffic. Sometimes when the high level bridge is closed to general traffic, emergency vehicles can still get across. However, this is not always an option, so emergency responders must plan where to locate their resources and must determine which alternate routes are best to provide supplementary services.
You may recall that, as reported here repeatedly, city leaders have tried to get the federal rules amended at least a bit while Spokane Street Viaduct and Alaskan Way Viaduct construction – and have been turned down every time.
(From the RapidRide C Line route map) By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Imagine West Seattle without the art glass of Avalon Glassworks, the “salubrious” beverages of Java Bean Coffee, the burgers of Luna Park Café, and the rest of the Luna Park business district.
That’s what the businesses’ proprietors warn could happen if the forthcoming Metro RapidRide “C Line” takes away Avalon Way street parking nearby – as is currently planned – a risk they say is even more dire in their area than in The Triangle, where related fears have surfaced.
The Luna Park district merchants have been talking with Metro over the past few months, without convincing them to preserve the parking, so now they’re taking their concerns to the community at large. Wednesday morning, we were invited to sit in on their monthly merchants’ meeting, which also included businesspeople dealing with related RapidRide-parking-removal concerns in The Triangle, as well as three county reps.
Last night, we published a sort of a tribute to The Great Walk Home, endured by dozens, maybe hundreds, who just gave up on trying to navigate the roads via bus or car on Monday night. It’s also been pointed out that bicycles beat the gridlock too. West Seattleite Eric Shalit, above, has published a review of the gear that helped (including studded snow tires). You can read about it here.
(Refresh for latest pic of WS Bridge, looking eastbound, and 1st Ave. S. Bridge, more on the WSB Traffic cams page)
Starting this a little earlier than planned, as there are various things to note: South Seattle Community College is closing at 2 pm and canceling evening classes, for starters. This report will again be “stuck” to the top of the page, with newer news appearing below it for now. You can find the morning/midday/early-afternoon reader reports on road conditions by going here. If the clouds are worrying you, here’s the forecast as updated this morning:
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF VERY LIGHT SNOW OR FLURRIES. NO ACCUMULATION EXPECTED.
2:34 PM: No road problems reported currently (or all day!), in case you were wondering. Also a reminder that both city libraries and community centers are closing at 5 pm.
4:48 PM UPDATE: No problems on the roads. Reminder that we have published our “who’s open Thanksgiving” list for restaurants, grocery stores, and coffee shops – find it here – and the West Seattle Holidays page has a few other Thanksgiving notes, such as holiday workouts. If you have to drive tomorrow morning to get to Grandma’s house (or anywhere else) for Thanksgiving, WSDOT warns that road ice is possible with temperatures still low and a “mix of rain or snow in the forecast.” (Since WSB is 24/7/365, if there’s anything you need to know in or around West Seattle, we’ll be here.)
5:01 PM UPDATE: There’s a new “winter weather advisory” in effect 6 pm tonight to 1 pm tomorrow, with that chance of light snow/flurries tonight/tomorrow morning, plus, once the temperatures warm tomorrow morning, “a chance of light freezing rain or light sleet.”
5:56 PM UPDATE: Metro will remain on snow routing through at least tomorrow morning. Tomorrow it’s on Sunday service; Friday it’s on “reduced weekday service.” And Thursday-Friday, there’s no King County Water Taxi (that goes for the shuttle buses too).
6:49 PM UPDATE: Via Facebook, Stacey reports some snowflakes in north West Seattle. Nothing down here so far.
(11:09 AM TOPLINE: No problems reported; bridge/Viaduct ‘bare/dry’ per city … Trash/recycling pickup is CANCELED … Most schools closed … Quick links below cams)
(Refresh for latest pic of WS Bridge, looking eastbound, and 1st Ave. S. Bridge, more on the WSB Traffic cams page)
One more icy commute before the holiday. Metro remains on snow routing; the West Seattle Water Taxi is back in service. Most schools are out; here’s the list. (By the way – the University of Washington changed its mind late last night and is now closed for the day.)
6:07 AM UPDATE: Just took a quick spin around online and so far no major problems reported in our area right now. 17 degrees at Sea-Tac at the top of the hour.
6:30 AM UPDATE: Thanks for again sharing road reports (and other updates) in the comments. We’re also monitoring, and posting updates to, Twitter and Facebook. The weather forecast looks the same as it did last night; the National Weather Service has renewed its “special weather statement,” warning of “sub-freezing” temperatures through Thanksgiving morning – again today, we won’t get past freezing, but tomorrow afternoon, the 40s should return.
6:39 AM UPDATE: Trash/recycling pickup POSTPONED again today – as it was yesterday – put out double next week; this just in from Seattle Public Utilities. (And if you have Thursday pickup, that’s already postponed till Friday, for the holiday.)
7:15 AM UPDATE: Starting to hear from some people with water trouble. Angela at 35th/112th has none. Someone on Twitter has frozen pipes. We’ll be checking with Seattle Public Utilities to see if they know of any major problems – if it’s just your house, though, the responsibility is yours. A few reminders originally posted yesterday: Today’s Rotary and Kiwanis meetings are canceled; Seattle Public Library branches will be open noon-5 pm. Also heard this morning from Allstar Fitness: Open regular hours but morning classes canceled, and SW Yancy is still very icy.
7:37 AM UPDATE: The city has just issued its latest roundup of service status. You can read the whole thing here; highlights – Viaduct/West Seattle Bridge “bare and dry”; roads considered “snow routes” are in “good” condition; community centers and Camp Long will be open 10 am-5 pm for drop-in activities but programs are canceled; the roundup also has advice about dealing with frozen/broken pipes!
8:37 AM UPDATE: Still problem-free, roads and buses, per WSB commenters and the other streams we’re watching. Here’s our most-recent photos of nearby California/Thistle corner (both arterials) – typical, says the city, for major routes:
9:30 AM UPDATE: Still quiet!
11:09 AM UPDATE: From SDOT via Twitter: “SDOT has 12 pedestrian crews out clearing city owned sidewalks and landings right now.” We have “unstuck” this item so it’s no longer atop the page, but we will launch an evening-commute version after 3 pm, with other news higher up in the meantime. Once again, THANKS for sharing information photos, and for just being here.
(UPDATED TOPLINES, 10:21 PM: Bridges OK. Many roads icy. Metro info here – snow routing again Wednesday. Water Taxi resumes Wednesday. Most schools closed Wednesday, closures updated here)
3:01 PM: No new snow today – so all you have to worry about this afternoon/evening is ice. Traveling from south to north West Seattle at midday today, we saw several SDOT trucks, including the one above. They say 11 plow-spreader trucks are operating “in the south end” along with 2 “brine flush” trucks. They’re monitoring the bridges while considering salt before the evening commute. So how are the bridges? Here are the latest live pictures:
(Refresh for latest pic of WS Bridge, looking eastbound, and 1st Ave. S. Bridge, more on the WSB Traffic cams page)
For earlier road reports, check comments on our previous continuous-coverage update – but now it’s time to look ahead and share news on what’s happening for the rest of the day/evening. The city now is updating an online list of road closures – click here. (Highland Park Way is the biggest one in our area right now.)
But even if a road’s open, it can be treacherous, as thisSeattle City Light truck found out on Fairmount (thanks to S for the photo/info):
She says it’s been there at least an hour, and another City Light truck, with cones, is blocking the road uphill. And there’s the garbage truck stuck west of The Junction since *yesterday* – James shared this video of the tow truck running a line way down hill:
Remember that SDOT is only working on the major roads – lots of icy neighborhood streets, like 106th and 34th looking east, in this photo from MargL:
Dwight sent this photo from 44th, closed “just up from Brace Point” because a water main broke, leaving a thick sheet of ice on the street:
NOTES FOR TONIGHT: Community Centers closing 4 pm. City libraries closing 5 pm (open noon-5 tomorrow). West Seattle YMCA closing 8 pm.
4:44 PM UPDATE: Seattle Public Schools has just announced no school tomorrow, as have Hope Lutheran School and Seattle Lutheran High School. On the roads, there are multiple units responding to a crash at 5400 West Marginal Way SW (map), but we have no details yet.
5 PM UPDATE: A stalled vehicle reported on the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct near Columbia onramp.
5:54 PM UPDATE: If you wonder what the fire trucks are doing at Junction QFC – we’ve published a short story about it; there’s a water problem, but the store’s still open. Another business note: Barnes & Noble-Westwood says they’re closing at 6 pm but expecting a normal 9 am opening tomorrow.
6:36 PM UPDATE: Still no reports of trouble. Hope everyone is home safe and warm by now. We’re now under a Special Weather Statement – the National Weather Service says subfreezing temperatures are expected to continue into Thanksgiving morning, and then things will trend back toward “normal.” Also continuing to add Wednesday school closures/changes to the page linked atop this story.
6:49 PM UPDATE: Looking for Sea-Tac Airport info? West Seattle’s Alice Enevoldsen (ofAlicesAstroInfo.com among other things) has been tweeting about her odyssey to get to the airport. Her reports include: Highway 509 “wet one lane, piled slush on lane edges,” exits icy (like 518 and 518 to 509), no taxi lines that she saw, “airport overall calm and quiet,” icy roads through Burien and White Center. Read all her updates by going to twitter.com/alicesastroinfo.
7:06 PM UPDATE: Chimney fire call in the 3000 block of 49th SW – scanner describes it as “possible” chimney fire.
7:16 PM UPDATE: New Metro info in for tomorrow, which gives us the occasion to use this photo they sent along earlier today:
That’s King County Executive Dow Constantine watching as Metro’s Saravanan Thangavelu and Mark Gorow prepare a new round of Transit Alerts to go out to bus riders. Highlights of Metro’s latest update: Keep staying inside if at all possible; tomorrow morning’s conditions aren’t expected to be much better, and buses are expected to be on snow routing again. You’ll find Wednesday updates by 4 am here. Metro will be out overnight checking conditions and also retrieving stuck buses.
7:38 PM UPDATE: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle and Rotary Club of West Seattle both have now called off tomorrow’s meetings.
10:17 PM UPDATE: What a difference a night makes – it’s been really quiet, no word of anything like last night’s traffictastrophes. A few more schools have made their decisions for tomorrow; here’s our updated list. We also have word from a WSB’er that Superior and District Court are both closed again tomorrow – which she says hasn’t happened two days in a row in the more-than-a-few years she’s worked for the court. Metro is DEFINITELY on snow routing for the morning, and the Water Taxi is scheduled to be back in operation. Beautiful shot here by William, taken this morning:
Also from the West Seattle shore – dramatic photos of erosion that was revealed this morning, in the wake of last night’s wind (and preceding storminess) – see them here.
11:11 PM UPDATE: We are “unsticking” this story and it will fall back down the page to the point where it began (you can find the quicklink from the TOP STORIES list on the sidebar). We’ll start a morning commute story in the 5 am hour; of course if anything major happens in the meantime, we remain on 24/7 patrol, so we’ll report it separately.
Many talked about this in various venues Monday night … in comments on our afternoon/evening snow updates, on Facebook, on Twitter… but we thought that before it recedes too far into memory, The Great Monday Night Walk Home should be commemorated with its own story. Jeff Johnson shared the top photo: “I gave up on the buses stuck in traffic and joined hundreds of others hiking our way back to West Seattle. … Warming up at home now!” The next one is from Brian Zenk:
He wrote:
Total trek time was from 5 to 8:15.
I sat on a bus between Denny Way and Pike for one hour.
I jumped off the bus around five.
I finally arrived at home after walking from Pike Street near the market. The bridges were blocked and I walked with many others who could not sit in the bus. We were blocked by a freight train and had to wait to cross the tracks. This was down near Home Depot. When we arrived at the lower West Seattle Bridge, there was no salt or gravel on the bridge and we could smell burning rubber of car tires.
Long Bach Nguyen captured this scene of people walking on the south end of California SW:
And Josh Wendt shared scenes from his trip home – he says he works at Harborview Medical Center and took about an hour and a half to get home to 37th SW. Note the bumper-to-bumper traffic along Alaskan Way:
And looking back at The Bridge:
Last but not least – we included this video in last night’s coverage, but it’s the only clip we have of The Big Walk. Bill Schrier, who shot it, was walking home from downtown – where he works as the tech boss for the City of Seattle:
Thanks to everyone who’s sharing their photos, video, and stories.
(Latest updates/pix at end of story; also note NEWER news is BELOW this story on the home page. Metro info here. NO Water Taxi, NO trash/recycling, Seattle Public Library branches closing 5 pm, Community Centers closing 4 pm)
(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge camera, looking eastbound, and Junction cam, more on the WSB Traffic cams page) 6:31 AM: Time to start talking about the roads and the schools heading into the main morning-commute hours. Have just added more local schools to our full list of school changes/closures. Been on the road already today? Let us know what you found. Meantime, Metro already has canceled some routes in its system and renews its request this morning to stay home if you possibly can – check here for your route’s status. No West Seattle Water Taxi today. Sound Transitsays the 560 is on reduced service. Seattle City Light still has about 400 people out in six pockets around the north half of the peninsula.
7:06 AM UPDATE:Seattle Public Library branches will open at 1 pm today.
7:21 AM UPDATE: From Trevor in comments, regarding The Bridge and The Viaduct: “At 6:30 am, the West Seattle bridge eastbound part of my commute was the easiest! 99 northbound ok but need to go slow… lots of abandoned cars and slush/ice but not too bad.” SDOT is ***not*** reporting any major closures as of right now. Wondering about the forecast? “The snow has ended,” says the new Winter Weather Advisory issued by the National Weather Service a couple hours ago (in effect until noon), but the temperature is not expected to get above freezing today or tomorrow, so icy roads will be a problem for a few days.
7:36 AM UPDATE: Firsthand report on venturing gingerly outside the house: Compact snow and ice is the word for the walkway and sidewalk, as well as for the two-arterial intersection near WSB HQ (Thistle/California). Saw a couple cars go by, doing OK as long as they went slow-and-steady. The breeze isn’t strong but it truly is bitterly cold. The birds are protesting the snow-covered bird bath, so if you go out later – safely – remember them (we’ll be attending to ours). This is the view looking north on California from Thistle:
Cancellation note from comments: No Rotary Club of West Seattle meeting today. Meantime, we’re trying to find out what’s up with trash collecting (many West Seattleites – including us – have Tuesday pickup). Reminder that county courts are closed today – Amy makes note of that (part of the King County Executive’s “stay home if you’re not absolutely essential” entreaty early today).
7:48 AM UPDATE: A new city update’s in – the Emergency Ops Center reopened at 5 am – but it doesn’t include Seattle Public Utilities, so far. Here’s the word on roads etc:
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. …
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.
8:01 AM UPDATE: And it’s official: Trash and other solid-waste pickup for today is POSTPONED, according to Seattle Public Utilities, which says if you were supposed to have pickup today, “set out double (your) normal amount … at no additional charge” NEXT Tuesday. (Here’s the full text of their announcement.)
8:15 AM UPDATE: From Jessica, who took the photo “looking north on 35th ave sw and Roxbury. Saw a chained articulated #56 going round the Roxbury corner onto 35th. Sheets of ice though”:
Road condition reports/photos very much appreciated (editor@westseattleblog.com) – especially if you’re on an arterial. (And the comment section is already full of great updates this morning.) Thanks!
8:37 AM UPDATE: This coverage will stay atop the home page – which means NEWER, NON-SNOW NEWS is published BENEATH it for now. If you can get around today, please note the newest story we’ve added – White Center Food Bank needs volunteer help today.
8:54 AM UPDATE: Mayor McGinn was just interviewed on KING 5. He said they’ll be assessing the response – what went wrong, what went right – when the weather problems are over. He declined to grade the response (you’ll recall that’s where his predecessor went wrong in December ’08). He says it seemed like everything was going OK till “mid-afternoon” yesterday. Practical info: He says abandoned cars will NOT be towed or ticketed – unless they are blocking roads. He also mentioned that he’s aware many West Seattleites had a very long commute home. (Asked how he got home, he said he was picked up and driven home via Ballard.)
9:35 AM UPDATE: State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond is starting a KIRO Radio (97.3) interview right now – I-5, where so many were marooned, falls under her wing, so we’ll be listening. In West Seattle, Danny Gawlowski from the Seattle Times (WSB partner) is out and about today – he just tweeted this photo of SW Alaska with the closure sign (always an ice-prone hill) west of The Junction):
Paul spotted that bus, apparently abandoned, at California/Othello in lower Gatewood this morning.
10:22 AM UPDATE: A WSB team member is traveling California by bus checking on things (the 22 “snow shuttle” from here). The bus shown above is still stuck, he reports, with traffic slowly getting around it. In the other direction, at Westwood Village, Michelle took this photo:
She reports, “Thought people may want to know that the Barnes and Noble, Bed Bath and Beyond, and 24 Hr Fitness are all open and it is quiet and icy at Westwood Village. Some of the small shops are closed.” (We’ll be checking on Junction/Admiral – business owners are also welcome to e-mail us again today with news of their status.)
10:53 AM UPDATE: In The Junction, we’re finding business owners, clearing off their walkways and otherwise bustling (two days till Thanksgiving!). Above, that’s Funky Jane’s owner Angela with her kids – and a newly purchased snow shovel. Next, Scott from the Electric Train Store, working on his walkway:
Latest weather-related cancellation: Joe McDermott‘s swearing-in as a County Councilmember has been postponed. (The Elections Department was scheduled to finalize the Nov. 2 results today but that’s been put off.)
11:47 AM UPDATE: Also postponed: The Sofia Goff (Cafe Revo) fundraiser set for today is rescheduled for Saturday. Re: open businesses – West Seattle Cellars says they’re open till 7 tonight and 11-7 tomorrow; Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction will be opening a bit later as its proprietors slog their way in to work; Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) is open and having that sale mentioned last night – gear to keep you warm. And we have more bus trouble. You might have heard earlier about the buses stuck at 44th/Glenn/Oregon on the northwest edge of The Junction – still there, says Katie; here’s one:
Galena spotted this one a short time ago in the 3000 block of SW Avalon Way:
And our roving reporter saw this one on SW Admiral Way around 38th:
Just heard a live TV interview with a Metro spokesperson who says dozens of buses are still stuck in various spots around the county. And to soften the tales of trouble – this was just shared via the WSB inbox – 2 1/2 year-old Violet made “Mrs. Snowman”:
12:10 PM UPDATE: A few more business notes – Allstar Fitness may close early (3-ish); 8 Limbs Yoga canceled all classes.
1:28 PM UPDATE: Preps for the afternoon/evening commute are well under way. Our roving reporter has seen multiple SDOT trucks on West Seattle arterials. And WSDOT has just sent an update, including this paragraph:
“We have all available trucks and crew members out, working day and night,” said Chris Christopher, Maintenance Director for Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). “In Western Washington alone, we have 250 trucks and 300 crew members working 12-hour shifts. But with temperatures still below freezing drivers may see ice on the roads for at least another day.”
1:44 PM UPDATE: Seattle Public Library branches are closing at 5 pm – thanks to Wally for the tip. Meantime, we’ve published several new stories you’ll find beneath this one on the home page (until we “unstick” this when we start afternoon/evening coverage in the next half-hour or so – then it’ll fall back into reverse-chronological order) – newest, a look back at the Great Monday Night Walk Home.
1:56 PM: Ron Angeles in the city’s Delridge Neighborhood Service Center has just shared the city’s latest roundup. Note, we have EXCERPTED the information of most relevance to West Seattle and cut out the rest. This was compiled by the city’s Emergency Operations Center, which is apparently closing momentarily and will reopen for tomorrow’s morning commute:
SDOT had crews on the streets plowing and de-icing throughout the night. Approximately 70% of Level 1 and 2 streets have 2 lanes open. Thirty-nine street segments are currently closed due to snow and black ice.
Transit impacts continue from yesterday. Metro buses are chained up and operating on snow routes. Fourteen bus routes have been cancelled (see list below). Metro is responding to 119 buses that are currently stranded. Access para-transit vans are operating on life-sustaining trips (e.g. dialysis patients) only.
All transportation agencies encouraged people to stay off the roads if possible today.
Morning commute traffic was light.
Road Closures:
• Olson Pl SW / SW Roxbury to 1 Ave S
• SW Charlestown St / 46th Ave SW to 47 Ave SW
• Highland Park Way SW / W Marginal Way to SW Holden St
Canceled Metro Bus Routes:
2 Express, 7 Express, 38, 45, 51, 53, 76, 77, 79, 110, 210, 219, 266 and 310.
Parks Facilities and Programs
All community centers will close at 4 pm today.
All pools are closed.
All athletic fields are closed.
All evening recreational programs are canceled.
The Carkeek Park learning center is closed.
Twenty SDOT crews are continuing road clearing activities. This morning SDOT crews implemented the Pedestrian Response plan, which includes de-icing pedestrian landings and city-owned stair wells.
(Looking for the Monday mega-report with 500+ comments? Find it here. School closures/changes are here.)
(From Ted – video from the scene of the downed tree at California/Walker) 12:01 AM: Now that the evening commute has finally ended – just in time for a brand-new day – we’re starting a new round of running coverage. We’ll talk about what’s happening overnight – such as, I-5 is still reported to be a “parking lot” – but also look ahead to the morning. For starters – here’s our list of school closures. Plus – Metro says it’ll be nowhere near full service this morning; what service they do offer will again be on snow routes. Perhaps foreshadowing the service reduction, Kris just tweeted this photo from the low-bridge vicinity:
Via Twitter,Justin says the 21 is running along 1st Avenue South. Meantime, the weather folks all say it’ll be incredibly icy.
12:43 AM UPDATE: According to Seattle City Light‘s outage tracker, more than 460 West Seattle homes/businesses, all on the north end of the peninsula, are without power right now. None of the outages lists an estimated restoration time. Meantime, more traffic information: Abandoned vehicles seem to be a big problem on most major routes – we’re hearing of them on the westbound high bridge, the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and this just tweeted by WSDOT: “On the I-5 northbound off-ramp to the West Seattle Bridge, there are disabled vehicles blocking the ramp.”
1:57 AM UPDATE: Via Twitter – word of a very long taxi line at Sea-Tac. Meantime, we’ve taken a closer look at the forecast, and noticed we’re now under a Winter Weather Advisory until 4 pm; it’s supposed to get sunny today, while staying very cold – a high in the 20s, then a low possibly into single digits. The wind right now, however, is definitely double digits – howling out there.
2:36 AM UPDATE: OK, it wasn’t 100 percent doom and gloom. ZJ shared this photo from Genesee Hill:
And then there was the following photo from Krista:
Her caption: “I sense something. A presence I’ve not felt since….. 2008.”
6:31 AM UPDATE: We’ve just started a new “morning commute” story – see you there!
LATEST TOPLINES 10:30 PM: ****School updates – Seattle Public Schools all closed Tuesday; several more school changes here … Metro will be on snow routes again Tuesday and expecting some cancellations … West Seattle (high) Bridge *open* … **Low bridge now reported blocked westbound by bus trouble**. Alaskan Way Viaduct has reopened … Buses have taken HOURS to get to WS … 1st Ave S. Bridge open but having problems. Roxbury/Myers hill to/from 509 *slippery*. Highland Park Way closed. Admiral Hill miserable. SW Yancy “sheet of ice”; many other West Seattle roads, especially the hilliest, also having trouble – avoid driving. Seattle Public Library branches closed early (6 pm).
(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge camera, looking eastbound, and 1st Ave. S. Bridge cam, more on the WSB Traffic cams page) FIRST UPDATE, 12:20 PM: It’s been snow-showery off and on all morning – our video is from about half an hour ago:
1:32 PM: While there’s something of a lull before the threatened blast of afternoon snow and wind – not to mention, commute information regardless of conditions – we’re publishing some other news – scroll BELOW this story on the WSB home page (this will be “stuck” to the top but newer news will appear beneath it). Here’s a video clip, by the way, shot by Danny Gawlowski from the Seattle Times (WSB partners) – brothers Michael and Anthony Dimitre building a little snowman south of The Junction:
2:37 PM UPDATE: The snow and the wind are picking up. (No new forecast likely till later this afternoon, but here’s the newest one, if you haven’t seen it.)
3:53 PM UPDATE: Commute in full swing, as is windblown snow. Multiple trouble reports coming in. The West Seattle Bridge westbound is said to be a trouble spot – we’ve got one report from Pauline, stopped in traffic: “Bridge seems to be iced over with lots of stalled cars- no one is able to get up the hill going west on bridge. Need sanding trucks or something!” One driver calls it “a sheet of ice.” Multiple vehicles stopped, according to another who passed by. This photo from Paul:
A different Paul reports northbound Delridge onramp to eastbound bridge is closed. Also, the Battery Street Tunnel is now having trouble, if you are north of downtown or have to head that way – SDOT reports it’s closed southbound. And we are hearing from bus riders downtown that there’s quite a wait.
4:25 PM UPDATE: Anything that’s a hill – avoid. Admiral now said to be a mess between bridge and viewpoint. Roxbury is having trouble in westbound – Todd reports a bus is blocking it. Also note the Columbia entrance to the southbound Viaduct downtown is reported closed. Sanding trucks are trying to get to the WS Bridge “to get it back open,” per scanner. The low bridge ALSO is reported blocked, bus and truck trouble, according to Rose, who sent this photo:
4:58 PM UPDATE: 1st Avenue South Bridge is reported open, but otherwise we’re hearing most routes are still in bad shape. Also just got word that the West Seattle Water Taxi is having some trouble – commenter says they’re going to try to see if a bigger boat will help deal with wind/dock.
5:09 PM UPDATE: Water Taxi now CANCELED for rest of the evening. Wind has just picked up where we are – remember that strong wind is forecast as well as snow/cold. Also – Alaskan Way Viaduct CLOSED both ways according to e-mail just in from city Emergency Services Center. Quick reminder: In addition to updating the Web, we are also posting updates (as are “friends”/”followers”) on Twitter (@westseattleblog) and Facebook (facebook.com/westseattleblog).
5:41 PM UPDATE: SDOT says high bridge open but slow going. The “live picture” atop our story here (from city traffic camera) would seem to validate that. A non-traffic note: Seattle Public Library branches are closing at 6 pm.
5:53 PM UPDATE: From Rob via Facebook – many have been asking about this route:
I just got home in arbor heights via 1st ave s bridge, 509, Roxbury. There were two semi trucks stuck on the bridge, squeezing it to 1 lane. After that there were many cars spun out on the hill up to Roxbury. They are all over the road and moving randomly, so a really dangerous situation unless you enjoy auto pinball. The hill is very slippery and it’s probably best everyone just stay away but if you must drive it make sure you know what you are doing.
He said the trip home from SODO took … two hours. Also note, surface streets aren’t in the best of shape either. WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen just sent a photo of a spinout in The Junction, 42nd/ Alaska. Looks like everyone’s OK, but nerve-rattling.
6:11 PM UPDATE: From Rachel via e-mail:
Please post on updates that Admiral Hill is extremely dangerous right now, when I came down it at 5 pm there were at least 15 cars wiped out on the sides, and cars sliding everywhere. Very scary situation and I was in a truck but still sliding like crazy also.
We cannot stress enough – don’t go out unless it’s an emergency. Obviously a lot of people are just trying to get home, but once you’re there (and it’s taking some *hours*), please stay in. Also know that the “official” reports on major roads are not coming in consistently – so if something doesn’t have a live camera (see the Traffic page), we may not know its status for sure unless someone nearby comments on it. Road photos welcome, too; we have some “snow fun” shots from earlier that we will get into a gallery later, but right now the traffic/safety info is paramount.
6:37 PM UPDATE: Photo from less than an hour ago on low bridge – many people are said to be walking back to West Seattle from SODO (dangerous – wind chill! it’s really kicking up out there) and this is what they’re encountering – the pedestrian/bike part definitely open – thanks to Tomf2009 via Twitter:
6:54 PM UPDATE: Lights just blinked. Charge your smartphone if you have one. … Also just heard some SDOT discussion via the scanner: 42nd/Edmunds “a sheet of ice” (south of Jefferson Square Safeway). Has been said about many streets – we got a note that SW Yancy (between Avalon and Allstar Fitness) is in that same condition.
7:02 PM UPDATE: Bruce Butterfield (president of the Fauntleroy Community Association) posted on FB wall that the lower bridge IS MOVING.
7:32 PM UPDATE: Commenters are continuing to share updates on road and bus conditions. A long-suffering 54 ridership is apparently getting closer to home. Meantime, some other problems. Thanks to Mike Jensen for this photo of a tree down by VCA on California SW south of The Junction:
7:48 PM UPDATE: Some of the people walking from SODO have made it into Skylark Café (WSB sponsor), according to a comment from proprietor Jessie SK on the WSB Facebook Wall. Meantime, we checked with the City Light outage tracker, since the wind’s been up quite a while and many have reported flickers – so far, only two small outages in West Seattle, pockets in the north (see them here), although on a night like tonight – with temperatures already into the low 20s – even a 1-person outage is especially bad news. Back to the walkers – Kristina’s husband took this, walking up Highland Park Way:
Kristina says he saw at least 10 abandoned, stuck, or “trying to get unstuck” cars, some even in the bushes.
8:08 PM UPDATE: Hope Lutheran School parent says she got the call they’re closed tomorrow. We started a separate page with Tuesday school info – here’s the link. Also, Twitter note says a new problem blocking the low bridge westbound – stalled truck.
8:20 PM UPDATE: Now there are several small outages in northern West Seattle. Biggest one is along Admiral in Alki Mail vicinity – 145 homes/businesses, according to the City Light tracker.
8:30 PM UPDATE: Seattle Public Schools now canceled for Tuesday. More school info here (and we’ll continue updating that page as we get updates from private schools, Highline, Vashon, etc.). Also note – safety problems with some wires blown-down, 35th/Dakota is the latest report.
9:18 PM UPDATE: Metro will be on snow routes again Tuesday. Low bridge now having new trouble with a jack-knifed bus. We are hearing from more and more people who have been on buses for up to FIVE HOURS trying to get home to West Seattle. Here’s one pic we received of some of the earlier-reported walkers going across the low bridge:
We also have another tree down – Eric sent this photo of the tree at California/Walker:
9:48 PM UPDATE: More school closures – Seattle Lutheran and Northwest Montessori (all branches including West Seattle) also closed tomorrow. Go here for the full list of Tuesday school closure/delays reported so far. Also we’re inviting businesses to share word of changes – so far, The Little Gym of West Seattle is closed tomorrow, 8 Limbs Yoga in The Junction is canceling 6:30 and 11 am classes. Our favorite TV meteorologist, former Q13 co-worker Walter Kelley, says one more big band of snow will come through before 4 am – after that, the big problem foreseen is the ice.
10:22 PM UPDATE: From Bill Schrier, video of some of the bridge walkers:
They and the 4- to 6-hour bus ride endurers are the story of the night.
10:29 PM UPDATE: Metro contacted us to say that not only will they be on snow routing tomorrow, they are already certain there will be cancellations, so they’re urging people to stay home if they possibly can. Here’s their complete news release, including details on Access buses.
10:56 PM UPDATE: More school closures/delays – West Seattle Montessori/Academy, Explorer West Middle School closed, Highline Public Schools now closed, Holy Family expecting a one-hour delay. Also note that the Alaskan Way Viaduct is open and fairly clear – we just got a phone call from a long-ago co-worker who mentioned he had taken The Viaduct to The Bridge from Queen Anne within the past hour or so and made decent time.
(Our afternoon snow coverage, with video, is here; this update will stay atop the home page through the night, with newer stories published beneath it for now)
As originally noted toward the end of our morning/afternoon weather coverage, Metro is going to start the day with buses on snow routes in all areas, just because the forecast is dicey and this kind of decision can’t be made at the last minute. Sound Transit also has made some changes: Route 560 will not stop at Alaska/California, but will pick up at 44th/Alaska instead. And from SDOT via Facebook:
Several SDOT trucks pre-treated snow routes in the late afternoon. Several more with pre-treat this evening. Standing by on whatever this storm delivers.
As for the weather – the evening forecast update isn’t out yet; the one suggesting snow and gusty winds tomorrow is still in effect. (But famous forecaster Cliff Mass has just published an update; he insists no Seattle snow.) We’ll add more information as it comes in tonight, and we’ll be up early to report here on what actually happens – or doesn’t happen – weather- and traffic-wise.
More than 25 people filled a room at the Senior Center of West Seattle last night for a special meeting about the RapidRide “C Line” bus service’s potential effects on the West Seattle Triangle area.
A big concern for many is the potential elimination of street parking on SW Alaska between Fauntleroy Way SW and 35th Ave SW; that topic became the main point of discussion.
From SDOT, circulated by the city’s Junction-based Southwest District Coordinator Stan Lock:
SDOT is updating the Seattle Transit Master Plan and would like you to provide your input by completing a survey:
Want a better transit system? Tell SDOT what you’d like to see!
Getting around Seattle can be tricky — everyone has waited for a delayed bus in the rain, driven to work to save time, or needed room for just one more bike on the train. Maybe you wish the bus stopped closer to your house or was easier to get to on foot or by bike. We know you have ideas about how transit should be improved, so here’s a chance to share your take with the city.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is updating Seattle’s Transit Master Plan, which will help to determine the city’s future investments in transit. As part of this process, SDOT is conducting a short survey to figure out what’s working and what isn’t in Seattle’s transit system. The survey takes less than 10 minutes and asks some basic questions about how you currently use transit and what you’d like to see improved. Throw in your two cents at seattle.gov/transportation/transitmasterplan/survey and check out seattle.gov/transportation/transitmasterplan.htm for more information
about the plan.
As the week comes to an end, SDOT has just sent a raft of traffic alertsL
THIS WEEKEND: Viaduct work will lead to closures on parts of Alaskan Way and Royal Brougham – which might affect you if you’re attending the Dave Niehaus tribute – here are details.
BATTERY STREET TUNNEL LANE CLOSURE MONDAY MORNING: Southbound lane, 9 am-noon Monday, details here.
VIADUCT REPAIRS NEXT 2 WEEKS: Southbound lane closures are scheduled to fix guardrail damaged in a recent crash – days may change but here’s what’s expected as of right now.
Reminder that the King County Water Taxi is NOT running on Veterans Day tomorrow – no West Seattle runs, no Vashon Island runs, no shuttle buses. Metro is on what they’re calling a “reduced weekday schedule,” and we’ve just clarified a bit of confusion that WSB’er JayDee noted while checking the Metro timetables: Not all routes have canceled trips, and Metro is updating the online list to make sure it’s accurate. Most notably, the timetables for Route 37 tomorrow ARE correct, Metro’s Linda Thielke tells WSB – there are NO canceled trips on the 37, even though the “Holiday Service” list, which she says is being fixed, said there would be. Meantime, another transit note for tomorrow: Sound Transit says its buses/trains are on a regular weekday schedule.
King County asked if we would share this announcement to help them recruit for these discussions about the West Seattle Water Taxi (WSB Traffic page sponsor):
This coming week the King County Department of Transportation’s Marine Division will conduct three focus group discussions with West Seattle residents. The purpose is to learn more about how the King County Water Taxi can better serve the West Seattle community.
Two of the three groups will include residents who regularly commute via the Water Taxi. These will be held at 8 PM on Monday the 15th, and at 8 PM on Wednesday the 17th. The third group, to be comprised of occasional Water Taxi riders, will be held at 8 PM on Thursday the 18th.
The discussions will take place in downtown Seattle and participants will be served snacks and receive a $75 gratuity.
If interested and one of these times works for you, please contact Chris Wheeler at christopher.wheeler@kingcounty.gov to sign up and receive further details.
Could be an omen, or not. Last year, whenSDOT invited the media to its Charles Street yard to discuss its revamped and beefed-up snow plan, it was a brilliantly sunny day. Today, the same event happened on a day graced by a regional rainstorm. Mayor McGinn was there for the briefing; the photo above is from WSB contributing photojournalist Ellen Cedergreen, who’ll be sending more information and photos we’ll add to this report soon – snowplows and sand were part of the snow-fighting arsenal that was to be shown off. (Photo added – salt, too:)
In the meantime, SDOT has said that the revamped plan from last year — which never had to be deployed — is the basis for what’s in place this year; you can check out its Winter Storm information online here.
ADDED 2:25 PM: Just in, SDOT’s news release with highlights of the updated plan discussed today (including other city agencies, plus weblinks and phone numbers to keep handy in case of weather trouble) – click ahead:Read More
Transit updates for next Thursday, Veterans Day, include the fact there’s no King County Water Taxi service (West Seattle *or* Vashon) at all. That reminder’s just in from the county, which lists these Water Taxi-less dates:
· Veterans Day – Thursday, Nov. 11
· Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, Nov. 25
· Day after Thanksgiving – Friday, Nov. 26
· Christmas Day (observed) – Friday, Dec. 24
· New Year’s Day (observed) – Friday, Dec 31
· Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, Jan. 17
· Presidents Day – Monday, Feb. 21
One day after Metro‘s winter-weather briefing for the King County Council (our update with a link to the PowerPoint presentation is here) – which included an explanation of the “memorandum of understanding” between the city and county to make sure bus routes are prioritized during future snow – SDOT is doing snowplow practice again today, for at least the second time this fall. Thanks to Leah for the photo – one of 2 she saw on the Edmunds/41st hill – and also to Cheryl for a tip via Twitter. SDOT tells us its annual winter-weather briefing for the media will happen sometime next week; they drew up lots of new policies and procedures for last year, after Snowpocalypse/Snowmare woes in late ’08, but never got the chance to put them to use. No need to wait for that, though – this winter’s snow-routes map is already available online.
Via Twitter, Dartanyon sent that photo of a tree down across 21st SW, north of Myrtle, not far from Sanislo Elementary, within the past hour. We don’t have updated information yet on whether that tree is still blocking the road – we’ll be heading out to check – but wanted to show it as a general reminder that (a) with this heavy rain, you may run into sudden trouble, and (b) if you do, please share the news, since a localized problem likely won’t make it to the level of, say, an SDOT alert. Here’s how to reach us. P.S. While the latest forecast still suggests it’ll get windier later, that’s been downgraded a bit – the highest predicted wind speed is now 25 mph.
More than 25 people filled a room at the 
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