WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Not thawed yet

5:06 PM: We did get into the 30s today – but the temperature’s below freezing again already, and that’s still causing trouble. Thanks to the readers who’ve reported weather-related problems – for example, the sign up on the door at Spud Fish and Chips on Alki, closed because of broken pipes. We’ve also heard from a reader who reports:

We live on 35th between Brandon and Findlay. There seems to be some kind of water leak nearer Findlay that is running down the street and is now just a sheet of ice.

We pointed them to Seattle Public Utilities (206-386-1800). More weather notes to come.

6:25 PM: Though the weather was very cold, the views were beautiful again today. Above, Lynn Hall‘s photo of the Olympics early this morning; below, Kanit Cottrell‘s photo of the sunset colors and moon at day’s end:

We’ve also received yet another report of pipe trouble – a reader who says an apartment building in the Fairmount Park area is dealing with flooding after a break. And SPU’s water-outage map shows emergency repairs are under way in the 7700 block of 20th SW, with an outage affecting more than 70 homes. (The map also says the situation on 55th SW reported here last night was repaired by 12:30 am.) Today’s official high was 31, official low 19; normal would be 48/38.

7:30 PM: A commenter reports service has been restored in the 7700 block of 20th SW. A new problem has popped up – a reader emailed to say that water is flowing from the northwest corner of California/Juneau (former fitness studio) and down the street, so beware of possible road ice in that area.

Stoobie January 14, 2024 (6:01 pm)

Thank you for the important updates. Much appreciated.

FrozenRoad January 14, 2024 (7:23 pm)

They just finished the emergency repairs on the 7700 20th Ave sw block. Everything seems to work again!

WSB January 14, 2024 (7:25 pm)

Thanks for the update!

Lucy January 14, 2024 (9:11 pm)

My car won’t start.

SSS January 14, 2024 (11:59 pm)

The water on 35th has been a slow leak for as long I can remember. I thought it was weird when I was walking my dog and we hadn’t had any rain in days that there was water in the street. I reported it once., through the find it fix it app.

Norsegirl January 15, 2024 (7:31 am)

Over the weekend I discovered my pipes were frozen (even though they were insulated and I was running warm water through them) One of the local plumbing companies I called said there was nothing they can do until there was actual damage. They suggested I wrap the pipes in warm towels.I’m asking for a truthful verification of this information. If anyone is reading this and has reputable experience as a plumber, I’d appreciate if you share your experience. Is there really nothing an honest plumbing company could do until a pipe actually bursts?

mnw January 15, 2024 (11:01 am)

I was worried this might be their response right now. I have a frozen pipe but haven’t called a plumber because I figured they are being inundated and will only respond to the big emergencies like burst pipes. I opened my faucets so it can escape once it melts and am hoping for the best.
R January 15, 2024 (11:34 am)

If you have a hairdryer use that on low heat near the pipe?
- bolo January 16, 2024 (11:46 am)
  
  The plumber gave better method. Hot wet towels transfer heat better than a hair dryer.

RobinM January 15, 2024 (4:01 pm)

Be careful with hair dryer. Not too hot? Maybe low? Make sure the obvious things are fixed like no outdoor hoses to spigots and faucets wrapped tight with towels covered with plastic bags tight or foam cups. We lived in E WA briefly and friends in AK just leave all faucets dripping cold water and cupboard doors left open under sinks.

Sorry, comment time is over.