WEST SEATTLE SNOW AFTERMATH: Wednesday evening updates, from trash to transportation

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.

41 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE SNOW AFTERMATH: Wednesday evening updates, from trash to transportation"

  • K February 13, 2019 (8:01 pm)

    You totally killed it during snowpacalypse!! Thank you for keeping us informed!!! You rock as always!!!

  • Mj February 13, 2019 (8:11 pm)

    SPU needs to finish up Monday customers before they do any other customers.  

    • LyndaB February 13, 2019 (8:42 pm)

      I thought it was a little ambitious of them to try to get both Monday and Tuesday.  I applaud their efforts.  We’ll see them next week!

    • Dawson February 14, 2019 (7:57 am)

      I’m in a Monday pick up area. All the neighbors across the street had their garbage picked up yesterday. It seems like Waste Management could have had their drivers get trash from both sides of the street at the same time versus passing the same location twice like they typically do.

  • John February 13, 2019 (8:13 pm)

    Well it was nice to have a bus (#37) one day (today) in the past week and a half.  Hopefully next week some normalcy can return.

  • Apey February 13, 2019 (8:18 pm)

    Oh goody, now three weeks without garbage pickup….the crows are going to love the extra bags of garbage!

    • So easy February 13, 2019 (8:37 pm)

      It’s super easy to take your trash to the transfer station if you have a car. These folks literally do our dirty work for us and have been doing their best. 

      • Kevin February 13, 2019 (9:28 pm)

        @so easy, many don’t have cars, don’t have the time, or simply don’t want to perform a service that they already pay a lot of money for. SPU set expectations that Monday customers would be prioritized. They need to follow through. Also, what does “doing their best” even mean? Do you have data that shows they did their “best” today?

  • BigJer February 13, 2019 (9:06 pm)

    Thanks for everything WSB! Any updates from USPS? Fauntleroy Hills hasn’t had mail since last Thursday.

    • WSB February 13, 2019 (9:22 pm)

      I looked around for any hint of advisories or alerts, found none, so I’m going to try contacting the regional media person tomorrow … It seems to be very patchy. We are just upslope from Fauntlee Hills and we have seen the carrier several times. OTOH we are arterial-close and your neighborhood has steep side streets that I would guess have been precarious at best.

  • BJG February 13, 2019 (9:21 pm)

    Four more days of trash is not impossible to manage. We wondered how that huge truck could ever have made it back out of our dead end street without a tow. Waiting is okay with us. Thanks for the great service all the rest of the year.

  • Bobby Wright February 13, 2019 (9:28 pm)

    So, I waited at Alaska and California, watched FIVE C line buses come in, park around a completely snowless 44th Avenue, and shut down. Each one promising the shuttle was “right behind them.” The West Seattle shuttle bus finally passed me as I was unlocking the door to my apartment, 1.5 hours later! I didn’t really have to be home but if I did… my god! The shivering masses that were piling in there this morning made me call a Lyft.

  • Jk February 13, 2019 (9:31 pm)

    This is totally unacceptable for Monday customers who were also missed last week. That’s 21 days without garbage collection.  This is becoming a health and safety hazard for our family. Twice the crows have ransacked the bags When we left them out expecting them to be collected so we now have a pile of garbage, food waste, and three weeks of recycling (the first missed Monday was a recycling week) which is far more than can be shuttled to the transfer center personally.

    • moretrashthansnow February 14, 2019 (12:27 pm)

      agreed.   ALL Monday pickup should be prioritized simply because we’re already working on 2+ weeks.  and while it may be easy for some of you, trash for a family of five is difficult to manage in 7 days, let alone 21.     And yes, we COULD take it ourselves to the transfer station but as someone already mentioned, we’ve already paid for our trash to be picked up and I believe it’s a $30 min charge for vehicles at the transfer station – it’s unreasonable to think I’d pay an additional $30 for trash disposal.  

  • Tina B February 13, 2019 (9:41 pm)

    Thank you, WSB! You always do a great job of keeping us informed, but never better than this last week.

  • M February 13, 2019 (9:49 pm)

    I think tonight is actually going to be more frozen. My weather machine says it is 31. The whole backyard is now the crusty snow and ice. My 2 Shitzus were finally able to walk around the deep snow as for the most part their feet did not sink into the snow as it has the crust on top. They did sink in on a few spots. They look drunk!

  • Joe February 13, 2019 (9:50 pm)

    Street outside my house already has black ice on it. :(

  • carole February 13, 2019 (9:59 pm)

    I bet there are plenty of people, especially folks physically unable to, who would would PAY someone to shovel their sidewalks, etc.  Kids had multiple days off school.  You’d think some enterprising teens would like to pick up some extra cash.  Or maybe it could be a fund raiser for a school club.  Probably bring in more money than a car wash or bake sale or pancake breakfast. Something to think about in the next big snow.

    • Judy Slyne February 14, 2019 (6:16 am)

      Thanks Carole,  My thoughts exactly.  In my day,   kids mowed grass, shoveled snow and offered car washes to their neighbors and they are healthier for it.

  • DM February 13, 2019 (10:29 pm)

    Again, I don’t  understand how to reach or receive an answer from the 62550 Metro number when trying to find out if a bus is going to arrive at my bus stop. I have tried typing it in on my smart phone as a phone number, along with my bus stop number, with no success. Not sure what else to do. There is no other way to text it.  I’m at wits end. It should he easier than this. I’ve always been a huge supporter of King County Metro, but this bumming me out and pissing me off.

    • DM February 13, 2019 (11:30 pm)

      When I type in the 62550 number on my phone, followed by my bus stop number, I receive a “you’ve typed in an  incorrect number” recording.  Would someone please explain to me why it isn’t working..I’m completely losing faith in any kind of smart phone communication.

      • Kb February 14, 2019 (5:07 am)

        Are you trying to call the number? It’s a text message service, you need to text the stop number

    • BookGal February 13, 2019 (11:42 pm)

      Text the bus stop number to 62550.eg New Message.   To: 62550 your message should be the number of the bus stop…. eg 19862 It sometimes takes a few moments.Its not instant. The response should be the next three (3) arrival times of all the buses stopping at that bus stop.If there was no response for that bus stop (especially during Emergency Snow Network) it probably meant no buses. Only 60 or so of the bus routes were operating at reduced capacity. Are you getting Metro notifications via Twitter?

      • DM February 14, 2019 (5:14 am)

        Thank you Bookgal! It worked!

  • Huck February 13, 2019 (10:34 pm)

    I think a reduction in this month’s bill for garbage/ recycling is in order. I know that will never happen though. 

  • L February 13, 2019 (10:56 pm)

    Anyone in the Lighthouse apartments (previously know as West Ridge Park)? We’ve been without water since 8am, in addition to 5 hours off yesterday with all brown water in the evening when it did come back. I assume the issues with the pipes is the result of the snow and cold, but I’m still beyond frustrated with how long this is taking.

    • Turnthefrickinwaterbackon February 13, 2019 (11:08 pm)

      Me too! They keep thanking us for our patience but believe me I’m anything but patient. Can’t wash hands, use toilets, kids out of school and need clean bums to go back tomorrow. I’ve had it with this crap. 

  • BookGal February 13, 2019 (11:29 pm)

    For those frustrated (and perhaps angry) that their garbage has not been picked up; their mail or packages have not been delivered; or newspapers not delivered… Please consider that the people who do these jobs must do so in the same weather; and on the same roads, alleys and sidewalks as the rest of us. There’s a good chance they may live in another area (where they are also dealing with the very same issues in their neighborhood!). Garbage trucks are very large and seem to be cumbersome to maneuver. And aren’t the cabs open? Also, how many driveways and alleys have been shoveled or the ice removed? I certainly would not want a huge garbage truck hitting black ice and go out of control in an alley or while attempting one of the many hilly areas in Seattle. Postal carriers seem to be driving ancient trucks… again these aren’t 4-wheel drive SUVs. Large and cumbersome. It could be a substitute carrier unfamiliar with the very large route. They constantly are driving, stopping and getting in & out of the truck. They are constantly exposed to freezing temperatures, wet snow, and wind. They carrying a heavy bag of mail and also hold packages at yhe same time. Trying to find your house number (which isn’t visible). And they are walking on icy or slushy streets, steps & sidewalks (that no one bothered to shovel!).Newspaper carriers drive their own vehicles. And many start delivery when it is still dark. Expecting any of these workers to be constantly exposed to the bitter cold and wet snow; driving on extremely icy roads; driving on winding side streets; driving on hills; and risking physical harm walking on unshoveled or untreated sidewalks, steps, streets, driveways because “its their job” is not taking into account that due to inclement weather they are working under dangerous conditions. They didn’t sign-up to risk their lives. Would you? And their employers (I hope) have their welfare and safety in mind. Do you? 

    • HP February 14, 2019 (6:09 am)

       Bookgal, very well said.

    • Um, No! February 14, 2019 (7:19 am)

      Yeah, I think most people understand the obstacles and tough job the garbage trucks and employees are facing.   I think people get that, appreciate that and don’t need to be told that. What is frustrating is the fact “Monday Pickups” just keep getting knocked down the list.  It’s prioritization issue.  They should be priority number one every day until completed.   Others can wait.  We certainly have. 

      • Peter S. February 14, 2019 (9:53 am)

        @ UM, NO!  Exactly.  Totally empathetic to the challenges faced and feel for the folks that HAVE to be on the job no matter what (police, fire, medical staff, ferry service, etc.)  Monday pickup for us too, and now two weeks in a row missed, including the recycle.  I wonder if we’ll all be getting a credit on our utility bills?  /s.Seattle is actively discouraging personal vehicles, remember?  We’re supposed to rely on public transit, walk, ride bicycles, etc.  Tough to haul my garbage and recycle to the transfer station using those methods, especially in these conditions.  In all seriousness:  I think a lot of us would be willing to haul at least  some of the overflow garbage to a designated arterial location for same day pickup if that was standard protocol when curbside  pickup was impossible or impractical due to snow or ice.  Not a perfect solution, but better than just letting it pile up for multiple weeks.And, as UM NO said, at least slide the schedule so that those that have gone the longest since pickup are first when service resumes. 

  • Pilsner February 13, 2019 (11:50 pm)

    They way I see the garbage situation, is that 99% of the customers put the bins facing the wrong way towards the street (protip: there is an arrow on the lid), so WM is even with us.

  • Donna February 14, 2019 (5:23 am)

    So my recycling got picked up yesterday, but not my garbage. And this despite being on a bare residential arterial AND garbage on the other side of the street DID get picked up.  Oh well.  To prevent the crows from feasting (which they did do yesterday) I’m going to use my newly emptied recycling bin for all the garbage bags.  I figure that at least all the recycling is clean and therefore hopefully less attractive to crows and rodents, so I will temporarily store it in heavyweight black contractors bags and then dump it into the recycling bin once it becomes available. No, I’m not going to stuff everything in my car and take it to the transfer station, but this is a solution I can live with. I appreciate the importance of drivers staying safe and the Herculean efforts now to get caught up, but I do think I should get a credit for missing such a large portion of my service.

  • anonyme February 14, 2019 (6:30 am)

    Mail carriers in Arbor Heights have been struggling to deliver mail on even the worst days.  I saw them while I was out shoveling.   Most walks were not cleared, and it was difficult and dangerous going for the carriers I saw out there.  One guy I saw was practically in tears as he attempted to pick his way over the ice carrying that huge bag.  It wouldn’t surprise me if they were not required to deliver to boxes blocked by snow.  BTW, not only were there no kids or teens offering to help, there were no offers of help from young neighbors  –  who waved at the gray-haired shovelers as they headed off to recreational snow activities.  I even had a teen with a dog yell at me for not stepping into the snowbank out of his way so that he and his dog did not have to walk on snow.   For the most part, people were cheerful and patient, but there’s been some truly asinine behavior as well.

  • Tracey February 14, 2019 (6:37 am)

    The city of Seattle made a decision years ago to stop maintaining alleys.  As a result , they have fallen into an awful state of disrepair with all the heavy garbage truck travel.   I am sure this has impacted the current situation for garbage pickup.  Perhaps the city needs to re-think this policy and start repairing alleys.  They are a valuable part of our infrastructure.  

  • anonyme February 14, 2019 (8:18 am)

    Tracey, good point.  I contacted SDOT last year about the fact that one end of our alley had become almost completely blocked by limbs and overgrowth, effectively blocking a right-of-way, which IS in their jurisdiction.  I was told that they have no enforcement capabilities and to clear it myself.  Keep in mind we’re not talking about a few branches, but at least a dumpster full of debris.  Don’t think I’ve ever seen a city so utterly lacking in enforcement, nor so unwilling to do maintenance of public areas and structures.

  • RT February 14, 2019 (9:06 am)

    No trash pickup in my section of North Admiral yesterday…part of the still missed Monday  folks. Appreciate the issues identified above, but this area was definitely accessible yesterday. ..and we were under the impression Monday collections would take precedence.  Not able to drive to a transfer station and going to come up with some solution to protect existing garbage from crows and raccoons. 

    • ERIKA BORGES February 14, 2019 (9:41 am)

      Agree. I laughed at their message of you can leave double the trash out for the 18th pick up… I emailed them and said, you mean three times the  pick up, right?!

  • Optimistic February 14, 2019 (12:51 pm)

    Please view this comment with positive intent…but I think this is an opportunity for us to reflect on our garbage production and how we can decrease our footprint. Most likely, the garbage we create could be recycled or composted. Recycling is clean and fine to keep inside or in your garage, and perhaps decrease your garbage bin size to increase your compost for food waste.

  • unconspicuous February 15, 2019 (7:08 am)

    Optimistic, I agree with you.  Not bragging, but I often go a month without putting out any garbage, and only partial recycling.  Even then, the small amount of garbage consists mostly of scooped cat litter.   It seems likely that a lot of food waste is inappropriately going into the garbage, hence the crow & raccoon raids.  Probably lots of prepared food trays as well, although those can be recycled if clean.   Don’t know what else would create such a large volume of trash.    Garbage in = garbage out.

  • WS_CSH February 16, 2019 (2:21 am)

    West Seattle Drivers vs the Snow 2019@31,55,2:17,3:11,4:55,5:27,6:00https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgo6gG5Nn98&t=55s

Sorry, comment time is over.