WEST SEATTLE WEATHER/TRAFFIC: Icy Friday updates – no buses/Water Taxi, power outage, closures/changes, more

(Latest images from SDOT high-bridge camera and California/Admiral camera)

5:45 AM: The ice arrived overnight and right now, much has come to a standstill as a result:

SUSPENDED/CLOSED/CANCELED
-All Metro/ST bus service suspended
King County Water Taxi service CANCELED for reset of day
Update: Sea-Tac (SEA) operations limited
All Seattle Public Library locations closed
West Seattle Food Bank closed
West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA closed
-Business closures/changes – we’re making a list here
*Garbage/recycling/etc. canceled again today – no pickups until next week

The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect, with “heavy mixed precipitation including freezing rain” expected to linger for a while.

OTHER INFOLINKS
SDOT Winter Weather Response map (which roads it’s serviced and how recently)
Citywide traffic cams
West Seattle traffic cams
County traffic cams (choose “south” tab for White Center)
Washington State Ferries alerts

7 AM: Metro has published an update and promises its next one at 10 am, so its services, including the Water Taxi, will remain suspended for at least several more hours. … The low bridge remains closed, and the SDOT map shows official closures on several notorious West Seattle hills including SW Genesee east of Avalon and SW Morgan west of 35th.

7:30 AM: We’ve had multiple reports of “flashes” and while the ones a few hours ago didn’t result in outages, we have one reported now – 218 customers in what looks to be mostly Puget Ridge:

As you can see on the City Light map, this is the biggest one in the city currently, but there’s a risk of more as the ice weighs down wires and branches.

8:10 AM: Ferry service is back to two boats on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run, so we’re moving the WSF alerts link to the “infolinks” list above. … Speaking of info, we’re also interested in business changes/closures, so please text/email if you have anything to announce (we*************@***il.com or 206-293-6302). … We’re making that list here.

8:42 AM: More streets reported closed/blocks because of driver mishaps on the ice – SW Oregon east of California, SW Holden east of 35th. (Added – texted photo of SW Oregon)

Low bridge has now REOPENED.

9:09 AM: More crash reports from SDOT – Fauntleroy/Edmunds, Marine View Drive/SW 102nd. … Alki resident who just went up California from Harbor to The Admiral District reports “ice rink.” … That was from Debra, who also reports cars stuck in icy Admiral Safeway lot. … Speaking of Admiral, here’s a texted photo of Admiral Way at 47th AFTER a plow went through:

9:36 AM: SPU just made the call, no collection today either, no makeups tomorrow; if you were skipped this week, you can put out double next week.

10 AM: Metro says its service suspension will continue until at least 2 pm. Our business closures/changes list continues to lengthen. Lots of people reporting icy roads, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks.

10:41 AM: The SDOT truck above was seen on Beach Drive near Jacobsen, where Creighton reports: “Beach Drive at Jacobson zero traction, all ice. City deicing truck passed by at 9, but not able to scrape off any ice with its blade.” … Also this road report from Catherine: “48th Ave. SW at Genesee, a car tried to go southbound on 48th and is now sitting sideways across the street. The fire department is out of cones and neighbors are trying to find caution tape to block off the road at Genesee and 48th.”

11:30 AM: Above is a photo of Lincoln Park’s south parking lot, sent by Kelsey, who says it was left open last night and shouldn’t have been, so now drivers are going in and getting stuck. Avoid.

11:56 AM: Above is a photo from Paul showing the chain-reaction crash on the east side of Fauntleroy/Edmunds. Might be the same crash we mentioned earlier – most crashes are not getting cleared quickly for obvious reasons (including how backed up tow-truck drivers are). … New SDOT director Greg Spotts tweeted that he’s been out touring the city to check on crews and says the department’s West Seattle crews are doing excellent work. … We’re continuing to update the business closure/change list – including when we get word that businesses have indeed opened (Thunder Road Guitars [WSB sponsor] just did). Also, we’ll keep this report going for the next hour or so and then switch over to pm coverage.

12:21 PM: Water Taxi now canceled for the rest of the day.

12:34 PM: Thanks to the texter who reported power restored on Puget Ridge. SCL map shows all but 25 customers from that outage are back on. Meantime, an encouraging sign … the temperature has made it to 30 degrees.

1:14 PM: We’re going to end this roundup with a warm image .. Brian sent a photo of just-baked cookies, declaring this a “great day for baking”:

If you can do some baking too, this is the third day the south location of West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW) is collecting homemade cookies for The Christmas People – WSC’s Ross says, “We will continue collecting cookies all day and will add an extra hour to drop off ending at 4:00 p.m. instead of 3:00 p.m. that will give more time to people. Many are stuck home in a cold day so I could be a perfect day for baking cookies and do something good. Yesterday was kind of slow so we hope to make it up today.” They’ll also accept cookies 9 am-3 pm tomorrow.

(For PM coverage, go here)

87 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE WEATHER/TRAFFIC: Icy Friday updates - no buses/Water Taxi, power outage, closures/changes, more"

  • B December 23, 2022 (5:55 am)

    Anyone see that big blue flash in the sky about 20 minutes ago?

    • JunctionResident December 23, 2022 (6:17 am)

      Cameras caught a huge flash at 5:24 and then a less bright flash at 5:32. SCL outage map doesn’t currently show anything happening around those times. 

    • mindy December 23, 2022 (6:18 am)

      I saw several (three?) flashes around 5:30 that seemed to be just north of the bridge. 

      • Mike December 23, 2022 (1:33 pm)

        Around 5am a semi truck wrecked trying to cross the lower bridge resulting in vehicles having accidents behind the semi. When I was crossing the lower bridge and reached the apex of the bridge I almost smashed into 3 vehicles that were stopped then slid nearly into a fire truck then the side of the lower bridge. Afterwards I was stuck for a few hours during which above head power transformers exploded seemed like 3 times resulting in a large flash of light each time and an ominous humming sound, 

    • F December 23, 2022 (6:20 am)

      I did. I’m near Madison middle school. Wonder what it was

    • Mel December 23, 2022 (6:22 am)

      Yes! I was taking my dogs out to go to the bathroom. What was that?

    • M December 23, 2022 (6:27 am)

      Yes–It happened a few times. Couldn’t tell where it was coming from but it lit up the whole sky. My house overlooks the port and bridge.

    • Danny December 23, 2022 (9:20 am)

      Possibly a transformer blew. They are quite bright when they go and ice storms are good at taking them out

    • Parker December 23, 2022 (1:47 pm)

      I saw two blue flashes myself around that time, but I’m way down around Delridge and Brandon. I had a limited view out my kitchen window, which really only shows my neighbor’s roof, but the whole thing (covered in ice+snow) lit up bright blue for a fraction of a second. No sound. It was so unexpected and eerie, I couldn’t tell what was happening or where it came from, but it would have to be up high to light up the roof like that. I saw some other chatter online about “ice lightning.” Could this have been that?

  • WSB December 23, 2022 (6:28 am)

    Often that’s how people describe what they see before an outage happens – nothing mapped for our area right now, though,
    https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/outages

  • Jay December 23, 2022 (6:38 am)

    The high power lines on the north side of the low bridge slapped each other either with a wind gust or ice falling off and it popped and sent sparks all over the place. I imagine SCL is looking into it. 

    • M December 23, 2022 (7:03 am)

      Ah ok. So NOT an alien invasion

    • Amanda December 23, 2022 (9:37 am)

      That explains why the steel plant lights were off right after the flash. 

  • David December 23, 2022 (6:42 am)

    All morning King County Water Taxi service is canceled due to conditions https://twitter.com/kcmetroalerts/status/1606292513836482566?s=46&t=xbJT0ON00vF3P3V3-6Lc7A

    • WSB December 23, 2022 (6:50 am)

      Thanks, added. They tweeted and emailed that but haven’t added it to the WT website yet.

  • flimflam December 23, 2022 (6:47 am)

    It’s going to be a brutal travel day (if there even is one) at the airports nationwide today. I hope everyone gets to their destination eventually and without too much stress. Holiday travel can already be pretty unpleasant but today will be a doozy it seems.

    • 22blades December 23, 2022 (7:06 am)

      Lol. I left on Thursday for a three day trip. Looks like I won’t make it back home until New Year’s Eve.  In the meantime, I would have crossed the Pacific Ocean 4 times…Hope everyone has a safe & Merry Christmas.All I want for Christmas are some clean clothes!

  • J December 23, 2022 (7:06 am)

    The dog struggled on the ice just walking outside to pee. I’d avoid going out.

  • Mellow Kitty December 23, 2022 (7:24 am)

    Any word on business closures? 

  • Tony December 23, 2022 (7:24 am)

    Youngstown Flats 530am  Frozen solid 

  • Katie December 23, 2022 (7:30 am)

    If you live in an apartment complex with a one-way-in/out parking lot, be careful! My complex doesn’t salt the lot. It’s going to be a doozy for those trying to get out!

  • BlairJ December 23, 2022 (7:33 am)

    Saw a couple flashes in the sky about 7:20. City Light map shws an outage around South Seattle College now.

  • Sage K. December 23, 2022 (7:41 am)

    After a few flickers, power has gone out down here on Delridge & Juneau.Have reported it to SCL. Luckily everything was charged in advance. 

  • waikikigirl December 23, 2022 (7:55 am)

    Husband works for UPS/Air and the planes that were to come in this morning had to be diverted to Spokane. What a mess this weather has caused for everyone! Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t the last time we had freezing rain in this capacity in 1996 or so?

    • Joan December 23, 2022 (10:44 am)

      I recall a few days around January 2009-2010 (?) when I was trying to get a flight out for my uncle’s funeral. We had ice and I couldn’t get out for two days.

    • waikikigirl December 23, 2022 (2:09 pm)

      Hubby drove all the way to Tacoma this morning for work said it was sketchy all the way. Then he gets almost home our neighborhoods road were worse than when he left and he slid almost all the way to our house for the last block and had to park it 2 doors away. Now he is bound and determined to get his truck into our driveway so he’s shoveling the ice from the road!

  • newnative December 23, 2022 (8:13 am)

    This begs the question, 

  • Off Holden December 23, 2022 (8:19 am)

    Avoid Holden between Delridge and 35th right now. Both lanes blocked near 26th SW

  • uncle loco December 23, 2022 (8:27 am)

    Just a word of caution if you venture outside. Watch out for overhead ice when things start to thaw. It sounds like it will warm up quickly so those chunks of ice attached to tree limbs and power lines could drop at any moment. It’s like a skating rink out there right now.

  • Sasquatch December 23, 2022 (9:04 am)

  • UberBeth December 23, 2022 (9:24 am)

    Can anyone tell me what Admiral is like? I know it’s treated and plowed, but there’s no cameras to investigate.

    • WSB December 23, 2022 (10:01 am)

      We have a pic above of Admiral at 47th, if that helps.

      • UberBeth December 23, 2022 (10:28 am)

        Thank you! It is traversable in a car with no chains. Not too bad at all right now (if you can get to the main road!)

  • Joe Z December 23, 2022 (9:28 am)

    Fortunately it isn’t enough to bring down tree branches, otherwise this could have been really, really, really bad. Pineapple express coming tonight to wash it all away! 

  • Mj December 23, 2022 (9:32 am)

    And only about 20% of property owners cleared their sidewalks of snow and ice as required per the SMC.  Very frustrating trying to walk around!

    • Josh December 23, 2022 (10:08 am)

      So I am supposed to wake up and have the sidewalk salted several hours after an incredibly rare icing event and in doing so risk injury to myself all because you didn’t check the weather and prepare to not have to go for a walk until after 2 today?Common sense trumps the SMC, don’t even take a step out your front door unless you absolutely have to until later this afternoon otherwise you risk injury.

      • Jimmy Lee December 23, 2022 (11:45 am)

        Exactly! People need to stay home! I’m not going to break my hips or bones just because you are itching to go on your walk or drive to the store. If you watch the news it is asking people to stay home. Buy some ice cleats to attach to your shoes if you felt it was necessary to go outside when everything is covered a sheet of ice.  Some people are old and if they fall they don’t bounce at all they break like Humpty Dumpty! 

    • Sno thanks December 23, 2022 (10:15 am)

      I’m pretty diligent about getting snow off the sidewalks in front of my house and my immediate neighbors, but I’m not getting out there today and chipping away at this stuff (and breaking my sidewalk and shovel). It’ll melt this afternoon and evening. Sorry for the inconvenience.

      • yikes December 23, 2022 (12:23 pm)

        Yes, this.  My sidewalks were 100% clear when the event started.  It was too cold overnight for salt to work, sand would have been entombed by ice, and by the time it was warm enough for salt to start working, it’s so icy I’m likely to break a hip just getting the mail.  Forget clearing this kind of ice off your sidewalk.  Just stay inside until it melts.

    • AinthePNW December 23, 2022 (10:21 am)

      Our sidewalks are cleared and it’s so much worse. It’s a sheet of ice, instead of compact snow. We don’t use chemicals or salt – and it’s impossible to get the ice layer up.I agree with you on clearing the sidewalks, but it’s very hard in an ice storm to clear them.

    • sam-c December 23, 2022 (10:24 am)

      It is frustrating that leftover / un-shoveled snow re-freezes and leads to slick sidewalks.  But, the sidewalks would be iced over today regardless of whether or not people cleared their sidewalks.  The freezing rain/ ice came through overnight and everything is covered in a sheet of ice.  When we walked the dog late last night, the street was dry and we walked in the street. It’s now a sheet of ice.

    • t December 23, 2022 (10:27 am)

      Hilarious MJ. If only 20% of homeowners could get out from their door to the sidewalk! It is so icy that it is difficult to do that! we tried and just about fell because we don’t own yak-traks. It is okay to wait until it melts in a few hours and be a patient person. This is not a usual seattle event.

      • WSlite December 23, 2022 (12:16 pm)

        Agreed. I just tried grabbing ice melt from my garage and fell hard on concrete slipping on ice. Not worth it for this rare event of an ice storm. And I’m younger, can’t imagine elderly out there doing this. I penguin stepped it all the way to sidewalk back and forth putting down ice melt. I haven’t seen one person walking by my house or car drive by. My street is pure ice. Be safe out there folks! I understand if people can’t put down ice melt. Give homeowners a break this time around. I’m wrapping Christmas gifts and listening to Christmas music right now. Hope everyone makes it safely to families for Christmas. Happy holidays everyone!

    • Reed December 23, 2022 (10:33 am)

      My sidewalk has been cleared for days and was bone dry until this stuff came down, nothing to be done about it.

    • Brynn December 23, 2022 (10:34 am)

      Our neighborhood did a pretty good job clearing sidewalks during the snow. The problem is the freezing rain. There isn’t a lot you can do untill it stops. 

    • Arnie December 23, 2022 (10:34 am)

      We cleared the snow when it happened, but it’s completely unsafe to try to deal with this ice rink (deicer doesn’t touch it) so we’re just going to wait for the thaw. 

    • Anne December 23, 2022 (10:39 am)

      Don’t know how many times this complaint has come up- but not everyone has the ability to shovel sidewalks to bare cement & use ice melt -or something else. If one doesn’t do that what’s left is a sheen of ice -that’s treacherous. Easier to walk on snow- even ice topped snow. Noticed yesterday that sidewalks around Hiawatha & Lafayette had not been cleaned – hard to police individuals when SPS & Parks Dept are lax. 

    • staying indoors & warm December 23, 2022 (10:51 am)

      I mean, it’s probably better if you just stay home given the conditions…….. & go on a walk when it’s not a literal ice rink outside…………….

    • Harborislandworker December 23, 2022 (10:53 am)

      Mj… Please stay indoors unless it’s absolutely necessary for you to go walk around.

    • Gay December 23, 2022 (11:41 am)

      Reading your comments is frustrating.

    • KM December 23, 2022 (12:39 pm)

      The cleared sidewalks were actually much more slippery than those that went uncleared. Perfect for ice skating.

      • Thanks neighbors! December 23, 2022 (2:16 pm)

        Yes this! One of our neighbors was very nice and cleared the sidewalk in front of our house yesterday..  so now we have an ice sheet!  At least it’s only one day.  I skated to the sidewalk and back : ) 

    • Alki resident December 23, 2022 (1:11 pm)

      I’m not hurting myself so you can take a walk. Buy good traction boots or shovel your path. 

    • Just wondering December 23, 2022 (1:11 pm)

      Then don’t try to walk around!

    • D-Mom December 23, 2022 (1:28 pm)

      You need to reset your expectations. I grew up in MN, so no stranger to going out in bad conditions. But I can’t even get to the street (no sidewalks), let alone have enough stability to shovel.  In these conditions, it is far too dangerous to attempt it.  It’ll melt later today. 

    • Math Teacher December 23, 2022 (7:01 pm)

      @Mj and anyone else who is concerned about the SMC – Here’s what the city code actually says: “It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant of private property to remove snow and ice on the sidewalks abutting his or her property in a timely manner and, if practical, prevent its becoming or remaining in an icy, ridged, uneven or humped condition or in a condition which is potentially hazardous to users of the public sidewalks.”Notice the word choices: “in a timely manner” and “if practical.” 

  • Stuck December 23, 2022 (10:01 am)

    This essential hospital worker is grounded. After chipping off the 1/4 inch block of ice that was my car, I made it 100 yards and started sliding sideways. Zero traction. And stuck! On 46th Ave in N Admiral. Friends made it down Admiral to bridge earlier. But as it spits more freezing rain the sheet of ice that is the road is getting worse. Stay safe. Be kind. 

  • KrazzieK December 23, 2022 (10:33 am)

    Mj…..sidewalks cleared thoroughly prior to last night’s ice storm around our place; Mother Nature has taken things into her own hands & we will address the sidewalks when safe to venture out…watch your steps now that you know!!!

  • Emcat8 December 23, 2022 (10:58 am)

    My windows today look like those old patterned ones you see in midcentury houses  

    • Eddie December 23, 2022 (11:29 am)

      Anyone else see an auburn haired woman and with a black and white husky over her shoulder in that image?

      • Patience December 23, 2022 (1:04 pm)

        @ EDDIE: too funny – it took me awhile, now I can’t unsee it   :  )

    • Lynda B December 23, 2022 (11:32 am)

      Thanks for sharing.  I can see an image of a person in your pic.  Like a side view of a woman.

      • Emcat8 December 23, 2022 (12:39 pm)

        That’s fascinating! It’s actually a ceanothus bush.  😄

  • kim December 23, 2022 (10:58 am)

    After watching one of my dogs slide across the patio, I’m keeping them in until this thaws.  There is zero traction.

  • 35th and Thistle December 23, 2022 (11:10 am)

    I cleared the 3/8 of an inch of clear ice off of our inflatable yard snowman. He was alive. Survived the freezing process.

  • nancy craver December 23, 2022 (11:34 am)

    Is the sdot traffic cam at California Ave SW and SW Alaska playing the right feed? I cannot figure out where the camera is facing? That does not look like that intersection.

    • WSB December 23, 2022 (12:08 pm)

      Last time I looked it was pointed south rather than north.

      • WSB December 23, 2022 (12:24 pm)

        … that said, just looked again and the signage in particular looks wrong, so I’m inquiring with SDOT.

  • Deb December 23, 2022 (11:50 am)

    I found the long stashed package of Ice Trax. Managed to attach the mens size 8-12 onto my size 6 shoes and WOW!!! Talk about traction!! Now I need a set for the dog.  

  • Jim December 23, 2022 (12:00 pm)

    Unless you are a first responder or medical staff who must make it to work (in other words, someone’s life may depend on your getting to work), please stay off the road for your safety and the safety of others.  Don’t put first responders into harm’s way if you don’t need to go out!

    • Shelby December 23, 2022 (1:41 pm)

      I’m not quite in the category of first responder, but I have to get to my job at Metropolitan Market this afternoon. I had hoped it would have thawed more by now. Can anyone give a report on the conditions on 35th, Alaska, and California? That’s the route I hope to take. If it isn’t driveable,  I may need to strap on my cleats and walk. 

  • Andy December 23, 2022 (12:04 pm)

    Avoid SW Dawson between California and Erskine (Behind Rite Aid). Popular cut through, but it’s a sheet of ice and one car has already slid down into others. Stay safe out there! 

  • Lisa December 23, 2022 (12:06 pm)

    I really hope the parking police won’t be out today. I’m in 4-hour parking, and I can’t move my car. 

    • WSlite December 23, 2022 (12:38 pm)

      I really don’t think you’ll have to worry about that. If cars can’t drive down streets, parking enforcement won’t be enforcing.

      • Lisa December 23, 2022 (1:14 pm)

        Fingers crossed! I can just picture one of those  little motorized carts slip sliding down the street just to try. Haha If they actually do give out tickets, I’ll just send in a photo of my car that’s surrounded by ice. 

    • Eddie December 23, 2022 (1:54 pm)

      Do the right thing: Self report and send in your fine. Oh, promise not to do it again.Thanks for being a responsible neighbor living in civilized society.

  • JG December 23, 2022 (12:23 pm)

    Our power just came back on in Puget Ridge at about 12:15 (out since about 7:20). 

  • Michael Waldo December 23, 2022 (12:28 pm)

    I put pet safe de-icer on my sidewalk LAST night. My sidewalk is not iced over. You need to apply before the expected ice. Says so right on the package.

    • Josh December 23, 2022 (4:40 pm)

      Weird, so did I and our walkway and sidewalk is a smooth sheet of ice.

  • James December 23, 2022 (1:13 pm)

    Someone parked in front of our house where there is a No Parking sign clearly posted. Normally I would sigh heavily and return to my work, but today the station wagon was an excellent line of defense for our parked car as an SUV driver attempted to drive down the street. The driver hit the station wagon before correcting their course and then slid down the remainder of the street. Mother Nature is the ultimate when it comes to “F around, find out.”

  • Postal customer December 23, 2022 (1:25 pm)

    I am absolutely surprised to see my mailman delivering mail today. His truck is chained up.

  • L December 23, 2022 (1:30 pm)

    So much gratitude to Il Nido owner, Cameron! He helped my father and me up an icy hill after many falls trying to pull our luggage up to a safe spot to meet our Uber driver. He went out of his way and was very kind. We will be stopping by his restaurant in appreciation and hope you do too. A wonderful neighbor! 

  • lowmanbeachdrive December 23, 2022 (1:33 pm)

    when do you think it will melt enough to be passable today? i need to go to the grocery store pretty badly

    fauntleroy area

  • uncle loco December 23, 2022 (2:33 pm)

    That photo of the chain reaction crash at Fauntleroy and Edmonds looks like they were parked vehicles that lost the battle with ice and gravity- a “carvalanche”.  Note to self, don’t park on steep grades during a freezing rain event.

  • Mj December 23, 2022 (2:37 pm)

    Clarify my comment was for Thursday night prior to the storm, today is a day the Kraken would love.

Sorry, comment time is over.