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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Downpour swamps streets, paths; then – big cooldown, with snow

December 21, 2020 3:24 pm
|      57 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(CONTINUING COVERAGE from afternoon downpour to evening snowfall)

3:24 PM: The heavy rain predicted in today’s forecast has arrived, and some streets are swamped. Above, Frank sent the photo of bike-lane posts acting as breakwaters along Avalon Way; not far from there, Lehualani tweeted this video:

From Conner, the ground-level view of that same stretch of 35th SW:

3:40 PM: As mentioned in comments, Harbor Avenue is swamped too. Just received this video via Twitter:

Meantime, more Avalon:

And here’s 35th/Barton, from Kersti:

We are also getting texts that California/Raymond, northeast of Morgan Junction – a perennial drainage trouble spot – is also flooded. (video added, from Patrick Wirth)

One texter says it’s so bad that some drivers are turning around, while neighbors are out trying to clear the drain(s). Just heard a dispatcher tell an SFD crew that “SDOT is swamped” – as are streets.

4:03 PM: This is keeping SFD busy too – note all the “water job” calls on the real-time log. … Also of note, the temperature has dropped in a big way. At 3 pm, Boeing Field (KBFI here) was 55 degrees … at 4 pm, 40 degrees. (added) Another look at Harbor Avenue, from Alaina:

4:26 PM: Judy emailed about that same stretch of Harbor, “Completely impassable east side between Anchor Park (estimate) & 7-11. Low carriage vehicle submerged over wheel wells so car quit running. This occurs without any warning on a curve where center planting is so no way to turn around. Cars keep stacking up and they are trapped – water still rising. I just barely got to place to turn around with my Forester.” … Also hearing about deep water on Fauntleroy Way west of California, and Murray SW (near Lowman Beach). … Also West Marginal Way.

4:42 PM: First word of a flooded business – Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (6400 California SW; WSB sponsors) were flooded and have to close for the rest of today and tomorrow.

5:03 PM: A request from the aforementioned neighbors who’ve tried to unclog drains on Fauntleroy north of Morgan Junction – SLOW DOWN! (photo added, from Frank G)

Creeks are running high too after the deluge. Laura sent this photo from the daylighted Alki end of Schmitz Creek:


5:19 PM: Almost every arterial has had flooding – Debora emails to say that includes Delridge, “a deep river with cars stalled and flooded and traffic backed up both directions given buses’ refusal to navigate the deep water.” (added) Brandon sent this photo showing why the north end of Delridge was closed:

Trouble for waterborne transportation too: The West Seattle and Vashon water taxis have both been canceled for the rest of the evening. … With the temperature dropping as noted above – now it’s into the upper 30s – that chance of slushy snow later doesn’t seem as unlikely as it did when temps were in the 50s earlier.

5:40 PM: Some paths have been swamped too – like the bike/ped path along the north end of Delridge, north of Andover. This photo is just in from Joseph:

To the west, Shauna recorded what Spokane Street was like under the bridge earlier:

5:52 PM: Commenters are seeing some snow. … And a few minutes later, here in Upper Fauntleroy, so are we! (added) Slushy accumulation on a car:

The National Weather Service says that “precipitation has ended on the coast,” so as hard as it might be to believe after all this, that “mostly sunny” forecast for tomorrow does seem in reach.

6:57 PM: Still snowing here. And video from @WestSeaWX:

7:33 PM: Snow hasn’t stopped yet.

Forecast hasn’t changed yet, either. Top-of-the-hour temperature was down to 34 degrees – 21-degree drop from 3 pm.

8:37 PM: Crews have been dispatched to check out a report of a tree down on 35th SW, south of Morgan.

9:39 PM: The evening edition of the forecast is out – still projecting sunshine for tomorrow.

11:40 PM: Still some snow on the ground (and the shrubbery).

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57 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Downpour swamps streets, paths; then - big cooldown, with snow"

  • Same December 21, 2020 (3:26 pm)

    Same on harbor Ave in front of active space and north toward Saltys

    • WSB December 21, 2020 (3:29 pm)

      Thank you!

  • KJ December 21, 2020 (3:31 pm)

    Couldn’t get a great picture, but here’s from the other side of Avalon. Water gushing onto the field

  • Same December 21, 2020 (3:38 pm)

    It’s really bad……….over the sidewalks now

  • Lives in the Past December 21, 2020 (3:42 pm)

    I would highly encourage everyone to avoid Westbound Chelan under the bridge. There are 2.5 ft of water in the right lane.

  • AM December 21, 2020 (3:42 pm)

    CA & Holly by the McDonalds is also flooding.

  • Ben December 21, 2020 (3:47 pm)

    Genesee between the skatepark and Avalon is completely flooded at the low point golf course surprised my car didn’t get stuck. Be careful!

    • CC December 21, 2020 (5:21 pm)

      I just walked by there to go check out the creek, and it was no longer flooded, FYI. 

  • HW December 21, 2020 (4:09 pm)

    Our basement has a leak, likely from the deck. Anyone have a favorite local contractor to help us inspect and fix? I’m hoping we aren’t facing the same “we are booked till 2022” issue we ran into the last time we renovated. Thank you all. 

    • heartless December 21, 2020 (5:03 pm)

      Not a contractor, but for basement work I’ve used All Seasons Waterproofing and liked them quite a bit.

      • HW December 21, 2020 (5:08 pm)

        Thank you!!!

        • Flood December 21, 2020 (9:17 pm)

          Second that All Seasons recommendation. Had a couple friends use them in the CD for a big job on a residential basement, and I think they were pleased. They also gave me a free quote on a sump that was reasonable, and the guy was helpful. 

    • Beeker December 22, 2020 (1:32 pm)

      Andy Bell [andydbell@yahoo.com]he rebuilt my deck (over garage) which had leakage problems.  he has a partner company that does the actual decking surface (membrane instead of paint-on) but i can’t remember the name.  Andy does awesome work and is a great guy.      

  • Mike December 21, 2020 (4:15 pm)

    35th south of Barton has a few inches over the road too

  • Greg December 21, 2020 (4:17 pm)

    Water Taxi Shuttle Route 773 is rerouting to West Seattle Junction up California Ave SW. Missing all stops on Harbor Ave SW, SW Avalon Way, and 35th Ave SW.

    • Robin December 21, 2020 (4:52 pm)

      I first read this as a joke that the water taxi itself was going to be coming straight up to the junction!

  • Gull December 21, 2020 (4:31 pm)

    Okay, who is making the ‘I survived 2020 in West Seattle’ shirts?

    • LyndaB December 21, 2020 (7:55 pm)

      Sign me up for that! :)

  • wscommuter December 21, 2020 (4:45 pm)

    Came through Spokane St W-bound from W. Marginal about 4:00 – flooding by Chelan Cafe is REALLY BAD – two cars stalled out in a 3-block long lake and only 1 lane getting through and only if you drive <5mph.  Avoid that area if at all possible.  

    • WSB December 21, 2020 (5:06 pm)

      That is likely why Delridge’s north end is blocked off just uphill from there.

  • West Marg December 21, 2020 (5:10 pm)

    Be so very careful on SB West Marginal. The standing water is incredible, and it’s dark, hiding all of it. 

  • HS December 21, 2020 (5:19 pm)

    Grab your rake and clean off the street drains in your neighborhood. Everyones leaves float everywhere so don’t let irritation about someone not picking up leaves waylay you. I just finished a 3 block radius if that helps motivate you. Arrived home soaking wet because my raincoat has officially bit the bullet but the air smelt great.

  • Mj December 21, 2020 (5:26 pm)

    And SDoT believes everyone will ride a bike to work in the winter!

    • Maria December 21, 2020 (6:02 pm)

      Everyone?  Never heard anyone say that.   But you can see what would happen if everyone was out in their cars today.  There are commuters who change their modes based on conditions.   The more you encourage use of other modes clears up road space for you if you choose to continue as SOV.  

    • Aaron December 21, 2020 (6:30 pm)

      I rode my bicycle to work at 3pm from West Seattle to SoDo! Was a bit windy and raining, but I arrived completely dry under all the raingear…  The folks walking from the parking lot arrived a lot more wet than I. 

    • Solsen December 21, 2020 (6:46 pm)

      Yes, because this is such a typical Seattle weather day.  [eyeroll]

      • Bikecommuter December 21, 2020 (7:47 pm)

        +1 Solsen. For someone who is always preaching for data driven decisions, MJ sure likes to cherrypick outliers to grind his/her ax.

    • AMD December 21, 2020 (7:49 pm)

      Everyone is having a tough day today.  Cars, bikes, even the water taxi.  People still commuted by bike today.  And others decided it wasn’t even worth it in a car.  What matters is that there were options so everyone could make the choice based on their situation and comfort with the conditions.

    • Also John December 22, 2020 (9:49 am)

      @MJ……  Hate much?      Bikers are helping the environment and their health.   I don’t see what’s wrong with that.     I rode for 19 years every single day to downtown before retiring.  All that stopped me was snow and ice.    Yes…..I would have rode yesterday.  Rain never stopped me.   Proper gear is a must.

  • RA December 21, 2020 (5:28 pm)

    It is snowing in Admiral are!!!

    • CC December 21, 2020 (5:44 pm)

      On Avalon, too! I thought maybe I was seeing things, lol.

    • Alkibiach December 21, 2020 (7:16 pm)

      It’s snowing on Alki. 

  • trickycoolj December 21, 2020 (5:33 pm)

    This doesn’t bode well for possibility of mudslides… does the detour have a contingency plan?

  • ML December 21, 2020 (5:36 pm)

    We got snow coming down in High point!

  • Jason G December 21, 2020 (5:39 pm)

    Rain turning into wet snow at Westwood Village as of 5:20 PM!

  • lisa December 21, 2020 (5:53 pm)

    Rain has turned to snow in White Center!

  • AMD December 21, 2020 (5:57 pm)

    Sleet in South Delridge

  • Joan December 21, 2020 (6:00 pm)

    Snow? I missed snow while I was in the basement mopping up water for two hours? Darn!

  • Bruce M Gelman December 21, 2020 (6:05 pm)

    Icy rain on 18th and Dawson.

  • JA December 21, 2020 (6:13 pm)

    Does anyone know why traffic is completely stopped on SB First Ave north of the 1st Ave Bridge? Haven’t moved in ages. 

  • AlkiReport December 21, 2020 (6:23 pm)

    Seeing a mix of rain and snow down by the Alki Bathouse. Too much rain for it to stick though.

  • Admiral resident December 21, 2020 (6:27 pm)

    Snowing in Admiral District

  • miws December 21, 2020 (6:33 pm)

    Snow lightly sticking to grass, 9000 block 16th SW… —Mike

  • Petert December 21, 2020 (6:36 pm)

    Mixed rain and snow on Beach Drive @ 6:15pm. I guess if we can’t see the “Christmas Star”, we might as well have snow…

  • Dustin December 21, 2020 (6:42 pm)

    39th and Thistle seeing full-on snow flurries now. 

    • Dustin December 21, 2020 (7:40 pm)

      45 minutes later and we’re nearing 1/2 inch at 39th and Thistle. 

  • Cat December 21, 2020 (6:54 pm)

    Snowing at 34th & Findlay (Camp Long Neighborhood)Sure hope all this rain doesn’t turn to ice! Happy Holidays!

  • Sealth Mom December 21, 2020 (7:08 pm)

    Anybody have the Sewer back up on 35th ?? From Thistle on down to Barton?? Not fun.  Smelly and wet. 2020 can suck it 

  • Podio December 21, 2020 (7:09 pm)

    Jeez I’m hoping I can make it up the hill to admiral for graveyard tonight. This and urban flooding! Oh boy

    • WSB December 21, 2020 (8:12 pm)

      The snow on the road up here seems to be melting already … possibly the ground was just too warm to hold onto it.

  • JonnyShnow December 21, 2020 (7:31 pm)

    Big fluffy flakes in Arbor Heights!

  • valvashon December 21, 2020 (7:56 pm)

    Alaina- thanks for holding your phone sideways.  There’s no excuse for vertical video.

  • West Seattlite December 22, 2020 (12:01 am)

    Earlier tonight in Arbor Heights:

    Snow 12 21 20 – YouTube

  • Gull December 22, 2020 (7:30 am)

    Hoping for a better view of the Christmas Star (great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn) tonight.

    If skies are clear, should be visible for a brief period, looking SW about an hour-ish after sunset.  It’s been 800 years since the two planets have appeared so close.

  • Rick December 22, 2020 (9:51 am)

    Torrential downpours,flooding,snow,and the Jets won. The world is coming to an end!

    • Yep December 22, 2020 (11:18 am)

      I’m pretty convinced the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016 was the event that put us on The Darkest Timeline, so if the Jets winning will get us back onto a better timeline, I’m all for it.  :)

  • SDOT and coincidence December 22, 2020 (1:47 pm)

    Interesting to me that the flooding on 35th and on Avalon are where SDOT recently made paving changes.  Coincidence does not mean causation but it does make me wonder.

Sorry, comment time is over.