West Seattle, Washington
09 Friday
(Steller’s Jay in the snow, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Moving back toward “normal” today, we are also resuming our daily calendar highlights. Just in time for this big monthly event:
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, VALENTINE EDITION: Not just art venues and food/beverage specials, but also a “passport” event with prizes this time around – explained on the WSAW website. Here’s the venue map/list:
WSB sponsors that are among the participants:
–Canna West Seattle (5435 California SW) – group show
–Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW) – artist Ryan McAbery
–Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW) – artist Sandrina Reyes
–Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW) – artist Amy Stone plus Intrigue chocolate-truffle samples
–Welcome Road Winery (3804 California SW)
Also today/tonight (with much more on our calendar):
VALENTINE’S VOLUNTEERING: As previewed here late last night, WestSide Baby would love some help catching up from snow closures. 11 am-8 pm volunteer-a-thon. (10004 14th SW)
COUNCILMEMBER AT CHAMBER LUNCH: Today’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch is headlined by City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, scheduled to talk about HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability as it gets closer to a vote. Fee for lunch; check with the Chamber to see if there’s space. At The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 11:30 am. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
VALENTINE’S POP-UP: Need something for your Valentine? Stop by VAIN (WSB sponsor) 5 pm-8 pm:
Floral popup PLUS 25 percent off jewelry. (4513 California SW)
WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: Betsy Bell is this month’s featured author, 6 pm at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)
POSTSEASON BASKETBALL: The interrupted-by-snow postseason finally begins. The West Seattle High School boys have a must-win game vs. Roosevelt at 7 pm. (1410 NE 66th)
OPEN MIC: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), all genres welcome. (5612 California SW)
MIA DAY & FRIENDS, LIVE IN-STORE: Free and all ages at Easy Street Records, 7 pm: “Easy Street’s very own Mia Day will be in for a special Valentine’s Day in-store performance.” (California/Alaska)
(SCHOOLS: Here’s the Thursday list … TRASH/RECYCLING/ETC.: Pickup today for Wed. customers)
6:13 AM: Good morning. The good news is that the temperature’s now above freezing. But still … beware out there. Also note there’s at least one change on our schools list – South Seattle College is now opening all its campuses at 10 am.
METRO: Some buses still rerouted; more details here
METRO ROUTE 37 – No service today
METRO ROUTE 50: Rerouted off Delridge Way SW, SW Genesee, & Avalon Way
METRO ROUTE 55 – No 6:31 am, 6:48 am, 7:30 am, 8:34 am trips
METRO ROUTE 56 – No 6:43 am, 7:33 am, 8:41 am trips
METRO ROUTE 57 – No 7:20 am trip
METRO ROUTE 113 – No 7:34 am trip
METRO ROUTE 116 – No 6:33 am, 7:13 am, 8:00 am trips
WATER TAXI: West Seattle route on 2-boat schedule
RIDE2: (update) Resumes normal WS service today
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT WINTER RESPONSE MAP: See which streets city crews have treated
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
6:42 AM: No incidents but you’ll need to take extra care to help keep it that way. In a comment, for example, Sarah reports, “It’s REALLY slippery still on a couple of segments of the SW Dakota St. hill from 42nd down to 35th. Even in the lowest gear for engine braking.”
7:28 AM: Via Twitter, Andy reports on bicycling conditions: “It is super icy out there. Bike paths aren’t fully cleared and side roads are spotty at best. That was the diciest ride I’ve ever had. Had to walk in a few spots.” … The high bridge looks almost back to the normal jam of this time of day. Note that the snow has set back the new NB Highway 99 exit ramp, as we reported Wednesday afternoon.
7:53 AM: While we have the full list of announced local Metro cancellations/changes above, in comments and tweets, some riders are noting unannounced changes, including some 50 and 125 runs.
8:33 AM: Still incident-free – side-street slush/ice reports and spot bus woes are the morning’s main problems so far. Remember that most schools are starting late this morning, so you wlll see students, staff, and families on the move later than usual.
10:37 AM: From Seattle Parks, “Community Centers and pools are open normal hours today, and will resume lessons and scheduled programs.”
10:54 AM: From the scanner, report of “wires down” at 21st SW/SW Dakota.
(Photos provided by WestSide Baby, showing their White Center HQ)
The snow has affected us all in a variety of ways … especially people in need and the nonprofits who serve them. Here are two ways you can help one local nonprofit, WestSide Baby, get back up to speed:
WestSide Baby provides essential items to local families in need. We have been closed for 6 days in the past two weeks. This means volunteers, staff (mostly) and donations have not been able to get to us. At the same time, the children and families we serve are also experiencing this horrendous weather, shut in time, lost wages and the diapers continue to be needed! (Letter from Executive Director Nancy Woodland here.)
Please consider sending diapers to help the families inevitably hit hard by lost wages or donate $$ now and we will do that for you.
And please volunteer to help us fill orders for families!
Thursday: Valentine’s Day/Night Out February 14 11 am-8 pm
Saturday: Special additional hours 1-4 pm
Monday: Presidents Day 10-1 (possibly longer if interest)Please email Volunteer@Westsidebaby.org if you are interested. It’s also super helpful if you fill out this application. If you are sending minors age 14-17, without an adult, they need to fill out a Minor Consent Form.
Although parking on the street is still a bit of a challenge (4×4 vehicles fine), we have shoveled out the parking lot; we invite anyone 9-99 yrs old who wants to volunteer to come!
Volunteer work is at WS Baby’s White Center HQ, 10002 14th Avenue SW.
7:39 PM: Evening updates ahead, including what we are hearing about Thursday:
Our photo of a side street near WSB HQ tells much of tonight’s story, from uncollected solid waste to slush that might refreeze by morning. Here’s the latest:
TRASH/RECYCLING: SPU says crews could not get to all Mon./Tues. customers
METRO: Some buses still rerouted; more details here
WATER TAXI: West Seattle route on 2-boat schedule
RIDE2: (update) Resumes normal WS service Thursday
SCHOOLS: Thursday announcements here
8:01 PM: Here’s Metro’s summary of the plan for tomorrow:
Metro is continuing to restore service wherever possible, with some snow reroutes still operating and delays likely, as recovery efforts move into Thursday.
Routes that will not operate on Thursday
On Thursday, the following six routes will not operate: 37, 78, 237, 243, 244 and 330.
The snow (etc.) rerouting link is in our list above. (added) Here are full details … Meantime, as also linked above, here’s the official SPU statement if you are a Monday/Tuesday residential trash/recycling/etc. customer who didn’t get picked up today:
Our trucks had significant challenges getting to all Monday and Tuesday areas today, even with chains and extra crews. If you are a Mon/Tues customer and your garbage was not collected today, it will be collected next week. You may set out additional bags for free. Customers whose collection was missed may also bring their garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste to our north or south transfer stations for free. Extended hours tomorrow and Friday-until 7:30. We know it’s frustrating when your waste is not collected so we thank you for your continued patience as we recover from the series of winter storms.
9:40 PM: The overnight forecast looks a little less frozen – lows “near 30” in the city – but the city’s out treating the roads; check out the “past hour” lines on the map.
10:42 PM: Just in, and updated in list above, West Seattle Ride2 service will resume on Thursday.
(Updated 6:07 am) The Thursday announcements are here:
(WSB photo: Gatewood Elementary, late afternoon)
DISTRICTS
Seattle Public Schools – 2 hours late Thurs., buses on snow routes, no preschool or Head Start.
Highline Public Schools – 2 hours late on Thursday. Alternate bus stops.
Vashon Island SD – 2.5 hours late Thurs. Buses on emergency routes.
INDEPENDENT/PAROCHIAL/OTHERS
Westside School – Open Thurs. at regular times – 8:15 am for Middle School, 8:30 am for Lower School, 8:45 am for Preschool/Pre-K. No buses, no before-care.
Explorer West Middle School – 10 am start Thurs., doors open/study hall 8 am
Holy Rosary – 2 hours late Thurs., no AM preschool or BASE
Holy Family Bilingual School – (update) 9:30 am start Thurs., BASE at 8:30 am
Summit Atlas – 2 hours late Thurs.
COLLEGES
South Seattle College – (updated) All campuses opening 10 am
UW – Normal operations Thurs. at Seattle and Tacoma; Bothell decision pending
PRESCHOOLS/DAY CARES
Fauntleroy Children’s Center – 2 hours late Thurs.
P.S.
Some schools start prescheduled midwinter break Thursday, including OLG, Hope Lutheran, and Kennedy.
206-293-6302 with additions – text or voice – thank you!
Two Highway 99 updates this afternoon:
(Monday afternoon view from construction-zone camera, looking south across new offramp)
REMEMBER THE RAMP? The tunnel’s been open for more than a week now, but the Dearborn/Alaskan Way offramp – to allow people traveling from West Seattle and points south to exit NB Highway 99 before the tunnel – is still under construction. The culprit, as you might expect – the snow. We asked WSDOT’s Laura Newborn today if there’s an update on the offramp’s expected opening: “There’s still weather-dependent work ahead of us. We do believe it will be next week but can’t say yet what day.”
ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT DEMOLITION: This too has been delayed a bit by the snow. WSDOT now says it’ll start later this week, at multiple spots including the Columbia/1st ramp. They’ve also added webcams focused on the Viaduct so you can watch the work.
(Photo courtesy Friends of the Delridge Triangle)
What’s next for the Delridge Triangle? You can help answer that question. Here’s the announcement we received today:
Friends of the Delridge Triangle — an all-volunteer, grassroots gathering of neighbors — is pleased to announce that it has selected Seattle-based MAKERS to lead a community design process for a reimagining of the Delridge Triangle right-of-way space at 9200 Delridge Way SW.
The greater Seattle community is invited to a series of public workshops to help imagine new ideas for the space. Save the date for the first: mid-morning on Saturday, March 23 at Highland Park Improvement Club. Everyone is welcome.
Soon, we’ll also have a pre-workshop survey available for you to share your thoughts about the space, the design and our community. Learn more and sign up for our email list for the latest information at delridgetriangle.org.
The Delridge Triangle lies at the center of South Delridge. With Highland Park to the east and Westwood-Roxhill to the west, the right of way is central feature of our neighborhood, and the nearest public open space for many families living in South Delridge. Friends of the Delridge Triangle seeks to activate the voice of the community to create a safe and inclusive public space for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
MAKERS is an architectural and urban design firm based in Seattle, providing services to clients throughout the US. Founded in 1972, the firm was selected for its community-centered approach and experience with public projects, including the Barton Street P-Patch.
This project has been funded by community volunteering, pledges and commitment from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Neighborhood Matching Fund.
It’s been two years since a community discussion (WSB coverage here) identifying problems and possibilities preceding this process.
12:47 PM: Looking for something to do in the hours ahead? Here are the announced plans for Seattle Parks facilities in West Seattle:
Southwest Pool – via email:
The Seattle Parks Department has again made the decision to operate on a limited schedule due to snow and challenging road conditions. Swim lessons and all evening programs are cancelled. Swim lesson participants will receive a credit on their Parks account for the missed lesson.
Consider coming in to swim today. A workout for the adults or a Public Swim this afternoon for the kids. (Children under 6 or under 48 inches need to have an adult in the water with them.)
o (Now until) 1:30 Adult Swim
o 1:30-2:30 Water Exercise
o 2:30- 4:30 Public Swim
o 4:30-6:30 Lap Swim(Regular admission fees apply)
Community centers are open for drop-in activities – Hiawatha, South Park, High Point, Delridge, Alki until 6 pm.
West Seattle Golf Course – “closed for golf but are open for sledding and snow play.”
Camp Long visitor center – open until 3 pm.
As for what’s closed/canceled, see the Parks update here.
4:36 PM UPDATE: Southwest Pool has had to close early because of a non-weather problem.
That’s Gatewood Elementary – closest one to us, so we photographed it after hearing city leaders implore community members to get out and help clear sidewalks outside schools around the city, in hopes that will help them safely reopen tomorrow, along with other steps that are being taken. Get out right now with a shovel and do what you can, Mayor Durkan urged – along non-school streets, too, since, she noted, it’ll be easier to clear now than after the expected “hard freeze” tonight.
Other toplines from the daily briefing (following the video):
–Seattle Public Utilities general manager Mami Hara reiterated the info from earlier about catching up on Monday/Tuesday solid-waste customers today, one-day delay for others as the week continues, free transfer-station visits for those who’ve gone more than a week since pickups, and hopes of being back on schedule next week. She also reaffirmed that they’re trying to collect recycling in WS (and North Seattle) neighborhoods where it was missed on Monday of last week.
(Added 2:18 pm – emailed photo of downed wire/cable in Fauntleroy along Brace Point Drive)
–Seattle City Light general manager Debra Smith said that they have about 300 “jobs that are open” – cables/wires to check on, not outage-related, and that most are “communications” cables/wires (“but do assume those wires are live and dangerous” until assessed by SCL). She also said the outage map is lagging again, and their vendor is working on that.
–SDOT director Sam Zimbabwe said that his crews are out treating streets again to prevent the feared freezeover, as well as clearing streets near schools. He also urged people to be careful about trees brought down by the heavy/melting snow, saying calls of that nature have been up in recent days.
9:24 AM: Just seen in Gatewood: A Waste Management truck. Several commenters in our morning report also mentioned their pickups had happened already, from North Delridge to Fauntleroy. To recap, here’s what the city has said since last night:
Solid waste crews plan to collect garbage from Monday and Tuesday customers (today), February 13th. Crews also plan to collect recycling from Monday customers in Northwest and Southwest Seattle (today). Customers missed last week may put out additional waste at no additional charge.
Collecting garbage from Monday customers whose waste was not picked up the last two Mondays is the priority. Therefore, recycling and food & yard waste not collected from Monday and Tuesday customers (today) will be collected next week, on February 18th and 19th. Customers may put out double the usual amount of recycling and food & yard waste at no additional charge.
All garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste will be collected for Wednesday customers on Thursday, Feb. 14
All garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste will be collected for Thursday customers on Friday, Feb. 15
All garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste will be collected for Friday customers on Saturday, Feb. 16
(For the above three, too) If your collection was missed last week, you may put out double the usual amount of recycling and food/yard waste at no additional charge.
…Additionally, Seattle residents significantly impacted by delayed pickups, due to icy residential streets, may visit the transfer stations for free February 13-16th. Customers are asked to indicate they are Seattle residents whose solid waste services have been delayed due to weather for more than a week.
There are some caveats on those free transfer-station visits – go here for the latest on that.
Meanwhile, Seattle Public Utilities (for whom Waste Management picks up residential solid waste) will be part of another 11 am mayor-and-department-heads briefing today, and we’ll add any new info that results. You can watch for the live stream here.
4:35 PM: Here’s the latest. We’ll update later this evening.
7:26 PM: Just in from SPU via Twitter:
Our trucks had significant challenges getting to all Monday and Tuesday areas today, even with chains and extra crews. If you are a Mon/Tues customer and your garbage was not collected today, it will be collected next week.
Customers whose collection was missed may also bring their garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste to our north or south transfer stations for free. More info here: https://atyourservice.seattle.gov/2019/02/06/solid-waste-collection-resumes-feb-6/ … We know this can be frustrating. Thank you for your continued patience.
(SCHOOLS: Here’s the Wednesday closures/changes list … TRASH/RECYCLING: Pickup today for Mon./Tues. customers … LIBRARIES: Expecting to resume normal hours today)
6:03 AM: Good morning! No incidents so far. Here are the toplines/infolinks:
METRO SERVICE: Back to almost-normal route list but with changes plus these alerts:
METRO ROUTE 37: No 5:48 am and 7:11 am trips
METRO ROUTE 55: No 6:31 AM, 6:48 AM, 7:30 AM and 8:34 AM trips
METRO ROUTE 56: No 6:43 am, 7:33 am, 8:41 am trips
METRO ROUTE 57: No 7:20 am trip
METRO ROUTE 113: No 7:34 am trip
METRO ROUTE 116: No 6:33 am, 7:13 am, 8:00 am trips and no 4:26 pm trip from downtown
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: Back to 2-boat schedule
RIDE2: Not operating today
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
6:27 AM: Temperature’s above freezing, so slush continues to be this morning’s big challenge … Road closure: Lorilyn says city crews have 45th/100th blocked off in Arbor Heights for work.
6:57 AM: It’s not exactly backed up yet, but for the first time in some days, the cameras show the high bridge is busy. And yes, the snow has set back the opening of the NB Highway 99 ramp into downtown – we hope to get an update today at a WSDOT media briefing that’ll focus on the start of Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition.
7:13 AM: If you’re riding Metro, be sure to check the reroute list as well as alerts.
7:25 AM: Commenter Jenjm82 reports, “Train blocking Spokane at 2nd ave, BNSF. Not even moving at this point.” (Added: Camera confirms, still stopped.)
7:55 AM: Spokane Street’s moving again; Jenjm82 says the train got moving again after 25 minutes.
8:56 AM: As Metro gets back to more of its regular routes, still some challenges out there. Chris emailed about the 120: “Most of the 120s are passing my stop because they are completely full. Some folks have been there for over an hour. … I gave up and am working from Uptown. I have seen 6 (!) go by without stopping. One stopped to let a couple of people off, but they did not let anyone on.” He says if you need to catch it you might try being creative – take the SB 120, “then get off at an upstream bus stop, then get on the northbound 120.”
The first round of results are in for the two Seattle Public Schools levies that were the only local measures in today’s election.
Seattle School Proposition 1 – Operations Levy
Yes 54,231 65.81%
No 28,173 34.19%
Seattle School Proposition 2 – Capital Levy (BEX V)
Yes 56,235 68.19%
No 26,234 31.81%
The next count is expected tomorrow afternoon. The biggest West Seattle projects on the list for the six-year BEX V levy are a rebuild of Alki Elementary and an addition at West Seattle Elementary.
(updated 8:10 am) The decisions:
DISTRICTS
Seattle Public Schools – closed Wed.
Highline Public Schools – closed Wed.
Vashon Island SD – closed Wednesday
INDEPENDENTS/PAROCHIAL/OTHERS
Explorer West Middle School – closed Wed.
Westside School – closed Wed.
Holy Rosary – 2-hour late start, doors open 10:15, no AM BASE or AM preschool
Holy Family Bilingual School – closed Wed.
Seattle Lutheran HS – OPEN Wed., 10:30 am start
Hope Lutheran – OPEN Wed. but no before-school care
Our Lady of Guadalupe – closed Wed., conferences canceled (reschedule for Thurs. openings)
Summit Atlas – closed Wed.
Kennedy Catholic HS – closed Wednesday
COLLEGES
South Seattle College – both West Seattle and Georgetown campuses closed Wed.
Seattle Colleges‘ other campuses – 11 am start Wed.
University of Washington – 9:30 am start Wed.
Seattle University – open Wed.
PRESCHOOLS AND DAY CARES
Cometa Playschool: Open Wed.
A Child Becomes Preschool – late start for AM classes Wed. (9:15), regular start for PM
Fauntleroy Children’s Center – closed Wed.
Bright Horizons/West Seattle – open 10 am Wed.
WorldKids School – all locations open Wed., Seattle normal start, Edmonds 2 hours late
206-293-6302 text or voice – thanks!
(SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES – newest one, 10:21 pm)
SCHOOLS: Here’s the list of Wednesday announcements, so far
TRASH/RECYCLING: Likely tomorrow, says Waste Management
METRO SERVICE: Emergency Snow Network ends by 4 am Wednesday – plus, see 7:32 pm update below
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: Back to 2-boat service Wednesday
RIDE2: (updated) Not operating Wednesday
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT has been
BUSINESS & EVENT CHANGES/CLOSURES/ETC.: Here, as received
PARKS FACILITIES: Today’s plan
LIBRARIES: Today’s SPL plan
NEWEST CITY BRIEFING: Video and toplines here
4:11 PM: From transit to trash (see the links above), there’s hope that warming weather will enable many services to get back to normal. We’ll cover the afternoon-into-evening developments and updates here.
5:28 PM: The school decisions for tomorrow are starting to come in. We’ve launched that list here. … Traffic problem – Vehicle blocking @ Olson and 3rd SW …
6:16 PM: As we reported earlier, Waste Management announced that it expects to pick up Seattle Monday AND Tuesday customers tomorrow. We are in the latter group and just got an AlertSeattle message reaffirming tomorrow’s pickup plans (which are on the SPU website too).
6:53 PM: We’ve been watching various sources for Seattle Public Schools‘ decision. Here it is – closed tomorrow.
7:32 PM: But not all schools are following suit … haven’t heard from everyone yet, but Hope Lutheran (which is in The Junction) will be open. … Also, just got an update from Metro regarding tomorrow’s service, including:
… More route details are available (here) and additional snow reroute information will be posted online for customers by Wednesday morning. We still anticipate operating more than 90 percent of Metro routes, with snow reroutes and some peak service reductions in effect.
· Seven routes will have all trips canceled on Wednesday, Feb. 13: 71, 78, 200, 237, 268, 308, 309.
· Thirteen routes will have some trips canceled on Wednesday, Feb. 13: 9, 29, 37, 125, 201/204, 208, 224, 243/244, 316, 330, and ST 540.
· All Metro morning and afternoon peak commute routes will experience some level of reduced service: an estimated 3 out of every 4 buses will be in service as we work to ramp up service, respond to road conditions and repair our fleet and recover.
· Riders: To find out if your particular trip is canceled on Wednesday, text your stop ID to 62550 or check Next Departures on the Puget Sound Trip Planner or its app.
8:22 PM: A few more schools have announced delayed openings. … Here’s an updated alert about the West Seattle Water Taxi returning to its two-boat schedule, also mentioning that Ride2 will NOT operate tomorrow.
10:21 PM: Though there’s been concern about the slush/melted snow refreezing, so far we’re holding in the upper 30s.
(WSB photo: Tennis-court-less, sea-wall-less possibility shown at 2017 meeting)
The city says it has a preliminary design for Lowman Beach Park‘s future, minus the failed seawall – and it will mean removal of the park’s tennis court. The design will be shown at a community meeting just announced for February 28th. The announcement from Seattle Parks today:
The Lowman Beach Park seawall is failing and needs to be removed. As visitors to the park have seen, the existing seawall is slowly falling over/sliding toward the water. It is Seattle Parks and Recreation’s goal to remove the remaining seawall and continue the shoreline restoration work that began when the south half of the seawall failed in the mid 1990s.
In May 2017, together with our design consultant Environmental Science Associates (ESA), we presented design options. We hired ESA as a design consultant in 2018 to continue the design process that began with the feasibility study, listed below. The design will take into consideration both the habitat benefits of the seawall removal and the coastal engineering ramifications of that seawall removal. Given the design constraints of the project, the existing tennis court will be removed. A remnant of Pelly Creek that currently flows under the seawall will be daylighted as part of the project.
The last community meeting was May 31, 2017; here’s our coverage. Documents from that meeting, and a feasibility study made public in December 2017 (covered here the following month), are also available via the project website. The February 28th meeting will be at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor) at 6:30 pm.
One more reminder – it’s Election Day and you have until 8 pm to vote. Two issues are on your ballot, both Seattle Public Schools levies:
*Seattle School Prop #1 (Operations Levy)
*Seattle School Prop #2 (BEX V Levy)
Prop 1 is a three-year levy, Prop 2 is a six-year levy. Each link above takes you to official info including pro/con arguments and full measure text; the school-by-school project list for Prop 2 is here. The photo above is courtesy of Michelle, taken at the Junction dropbox (we had been there a bit earlier); you can drop your ballot there (Alaska just east of 44th), or at the High Point (3411 SW Raymond) dropbox (among others – here’s the full list), or get it in the USPS mail. If you absolutely can’t, the county invites you to call 206-296-VOTE; they might even be able to pick yours up – Toni just sent a note saying she’d called and they were sending someone over.
1:19 PM: Again today, Mayor Durkan gathered city department heads at the Emergency Operations Center for updates on how their teams are dealing with the “historic challenge” – as Seattle Public Utilities general manager Mami Hara described it – of providing service after record-setting snowfall. Above is Seattle Channel video of the briefing.
Hara’s department is of particular interest since West Seattleites with Monday solid-waste pickups are now eight days overdue. She reiterated what was announced online this morning – no residential pickups today, but once they resume, Monday customers are a priority. Today some crews are making some multifamily/commercial pickups where “accessible,” but the conditions on most residential streets aren’t safe yet. She also said there will be a free dropoff period at transfer stations for the most-overdue customers – that info is now updated here. Others who spoke included the heads of SDOT, City Light, Parks, Human Services, and the Fire Department, whose Chief Harold Scoggins urged everyone to maintain “situational awareness” to stay safe until this all clears out. Many words of thanks for residents’ patience and help, too. (You can also see a city multidepartment update here.)
2:51 PM: Waste Management – the city’s contractor – is now saying it expects to pick up Monday AND Tuesday customers tomorrow.
Thanks for the photos! Here’s the start of a new gallery, mostly from Monday. (Our first gallery, from the weekend, is here.)
Above, Katya‘s photo from Lincoln Park. Also from Lincoln Park, by Kersti Muul, who says the “leash” was a blackberry vine:
From Bryan Wiebe (of longtime WSB sponsor Fauntleroy Chiropractic):
More ahead, including another look at what might be this storm’s most-famous snow sculptures:
(SCHOOLS: Closure list … TRASH/RECYCLING: No pickup again today, but likely tomorrow … WS BUSINESS/ETC. UPDATES here, as received … PARKS FACILITIES: Today’s plan … LIBRARIES: Today’s SPL plan)
5:31 AM: Good morning. Morning watch begins as the melt continues.
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT has treated/plowed
METRO SERVICE: Emergency Snow Network only – here are the West/South Seattle specifics – update: ESN to end by Wednesday
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: One-boat service – schedule and other details here – some shuttle trouble
RIDE2: Not operating today
STATE FERRIES: Some early-early-am Triangle cancellations
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
5:36 AM: Scanner – truck in trouble at Delridge/Sylvan.
6:13 AM: Alert just sent, the Water Taxi shuttle Route 775 “is unable to provide service on California Way SW and also Admiral Way SW between 61st SW and California Way SW.” (Admiral doesn’t cross California *Way* so we’re seeking clarification. …update, that’s California AVE) … Also, no Ride2.
6:30 AM: Just in from Seattle Public Utilities:
No Pickup Tuesday, Feb. 12
Due to unsafe conditions and significant snow and ice remaining in residential streets, there will be no residential solid waste collections today, Tuesday Feb. 12. SPU contractors will attempt to collect Monday customers tomorrow, Wednesday Feb. 13, on a 2-day delay and continue service on a delayed schedule through the weekend (weather permitting).
6:52 AM: While it’s not snowing here, some other parts of the city/metro area ARE still getting more, so don’t let the weather here fool you if you are considering heading somewhere semi-distant. No alerts in effect for our area!
7:02 AM: With Metro continuing on its Emergency Snow Network level of service, here again is where to find the C Line in The Junction:
See a larger PDF version here. (And note that while it shows 50 and 55, those routes are NOT running.) But also be aware there’s still bus trouble out there – texter just mentioned one stuck on 35th south of Avalon.
7:17 AM: That stuck bus is part of a crash scene, SDOT says – blocking southbound lanes and part of SW Alaska.
(SDOT image)
We also have a reader report: “21X is stuck at 35th and Thistle. Pulled too close to the curb and got stuck on the slush.”
7:34 AM: Might take an hour to clear the 35th/Alaska scene, per scanner. Police are working to direct traffic.
8:01 AM: And … SDOT says that scene is clear. … From the inbox, John sent this note (SPD has tweeted the same thing): “I read your blog from the other Washington area, and looking at your photos, a reminder for your folks there not used to snow…. Please remember to clear the snow from all over the car, not just the windshield/sides.”
8:25 AM: Collision reported in 5600 block West Marginal Way SW.
(SDOT “live” camera of west end of bridge, near Walking on Logs)
8:58 AM: Light rain continues (at least through midday, says the NWS) and the temp’s just above freezing. But all this snow – more than a foot, unofficially, per some measurements we’ve been sent! – doesn’t melt fast, so roads remain dicey. If you’re canceling/postponing an event today/tonight/beyond as a result, please let us know so we can add it to the newest list – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
9:16 AM: Thanks to Jennifer for the photo above – snow took that down at the Hiawatha baseball field. Here’s the Seattle Parks citywide plan for today.
9:49 AM: For those who’ve asked, our apologies, the WSB event calendar is currently out of service as a side effect of yesterday’s technical trouble. Hoping to have it back in action later today. In the short term, all bets were off in terms of scheduled events anyway – we are continuing to update the list linked above if and when we get word of cancellations/postponements. (We frequently feature Seattle Public Library events; here’s their systemwide plan for today.)
10:25 AM: We’re venturing out on a limited run, will report back on what we see. Or will call for help from a snowdrift if necessary. Among other things, hoping to make it to Junction or High Point ballot box – 8 pm tonight is the deadline and it cannot be postponed, says KC Elections.
11:57 AM: Made it to The Junction and back. Couple scenes we tweeted:
Calif Ave downhill through Gatewood pic.twitter.com/TytooMFTBX
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 12, 2019
Crosswalk shoveler at 44th/Oregon pic.twitter.com/UZh5S95MdD
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 12, 2019
1:01 PM: Started a new gallery with the snow fun/beauty that people have been sharing along with the informational pics. Weather-wise – steady rain now.
2:53 PM: And now – sunshine! Meantime, Waste Management is saying it’s expecting to pick up Monday AND Tuesday residential customers in Seattle tomorrow. Plus, Metro is saying it expects to END Emergency Snow Network after today and restore most routes by tomorrow – details here.
7:37 PM: Trouble on the streets everywhere – a utility pole across California in The Junction (photo from Jacob):
Buses stuck on Avalon (photo from Gwen):
Almost 1,000 customers without power in southeast West Seattle:
Several more inches of snow has made this a messy night. (For us, too – apologies for the technical trouble that kept us from updating here for a few hours.) Here’s our newest link list:
SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR TUESDAY: List here
NEWEST ALERTS AND FORECAST: National Weather Service updates here
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT has treated/plowed
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/alerts
METRO SERVICE: Emergency Snow Network at least through Tuesday – here are the West/South Seattle specifics.
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: Here’s the Tuesday plan
TRASH/RECYCLING: Awaiting Tuesday plans
TUESDAY BUSINESS (ETC.) CLOSURES/CHANGES: Building a list here
One big message tonight: STAY HOME. Besides the streets mentioned above, there are also trees on 35th, Jacobsen, and other streets.
8:10 PM: Buses on 35th south of Avalon, too – the photo above is from Jeff B, who also reports that the high bridge had “lots of snow.” …. Regan tweeted that tow trucks were making progress on the Avalon buses … Outage update: About half the nearly-a-thousand who lost power in the Highland Park area have it back, per City Light’s map. Citywide, more than 21,000 customers are without electricity.
8:28 PM: Sounds like just rain out there now (340′ elevation). The Winter Weather Advisory alert is in effect until 4 am. … Steve Ball sends this view, saying he had just finished clearing the walkway when the snow turned to rain:
We’re getting some non-school changes/closures for Tuesday and starting a new list of those – if you have anything to share, 206-293-6302, text or voice, is our hotline – thank you!
9:45 PM: Thanks to Michael KD for that video of SW Avalon Way getting cleared. Meantime, up here we just heard a ferocious road-scraping noise, and went out to see this:
What exactly do we call that? Guess we can consult this newly published SDOT post that explains snow-clearing and de-icing in insider-level detail.
10:45 PM: The trouble spots are being cleared bit by bit, and the meltoff continues. Hard to tell until early morning (we plan to restart by 5) what it’ll be like out there. “The lowlands could be done with the snow,” per the latest “forecast discussion.”
11:09 PM: Still ~500 out of power in Highland Park, and as noted in comments, there’s a small outage in Gatewood that’s not showing on the map.
11:17 AM: Dangling, arcing power line reported at 35th/Trenton.
(Junction photo from Becca)
3:19 PM: Our afternoon-into-evening coverage begins, with the snow continuing. First, the infolink list after a few “live” cameras:
SCHOOL DECISIONS FOR TUESDAY: List here
TRASH/RECYCLING: No Monday pickups; awaiting Tuesday plans
PARKS: Today’s updates here
LIBRARIES: Today’s plan here
WS BUSINESS/ETC. UPDATES: This page is not currently working – Tuesday version soon
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT has treated/plowed
METRO SERVICE: Emergency Snow Network at least through Tuesday – here are the West/South Seattle specifics.
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: One-boat service – schedule and other details here
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/alerts.
CITY/COUNTY/STATE BRIEFING: Separate story here
Roads are challenging – just heard on the scanner about “several spinouts on Sylvan Way,” and via Twitter, Mike warns even the slight California SW incline on the north end of The Junction is problematic.
4:23 PM: Multiple reports of stuck buses and other vehicles, in multiple places.
7:20 PM: Our apologies – technical trouble rendered us unable to update WSB for a couple hours. Fixed now. We will launch an evening report shortly.
Updated at 5:30 am:
SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR TUESDAY:
Districts
Seattle Public Schools
Highline Public Schools
Vashon Island SD
Independents/Parochial/Others
Westside School
Explorer West Middle School
Hope Lutheran
Seattle Lutheran HS
Holy Rosary
Our Lady of Guadalupe
West Seattle Montessori
Summit Atlas
Taproot School
Holy Family Bilingual School
Kennedy Catholic High School
O’Dea
Seattle Prep
Preschools
Community School of West Seattle
Fauntleroy Children’s Center
Little Pilgrim School
Colleges
South Seattle College
Other Seattle Colleges
Highline College
University of Washington
Seattle University
Something to add? 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Thanks to the texter who reported: “I’m having lunch at the Morgan Junction Subway and found out that they were (burglarized) last night. Broke through the back door, which was being repaired while I was there. Terrible to think thieves are taking advantage of businesses during the snowstorm.” We don’t have other details but the SPD Twitter log confirms the burglary report.
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