West Seattle snow: Thursday night updates

(yes, that’s the official WSB HQ arterial-meets-arterial intersection, this time Thistle to California looking west)
Finally starting a new post. First, Friday’s KNOWN area school closures (pretty much everyone):

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL
HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HS
SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
VASHON SCHOOL DISTRICT
WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI
Looking for another school/district? Try SchoolReport.org

Now, the latest county transit/road alert:

King County Metro Transit continues to operate with severely reduced service this evening, while Road Services Division crews concentrate their efforts on plowing and sanding major arterials.

While the snow that fell over the county for much of the day has now moved out of the area, road and transit workers have a monumental task ahead – keeping as many roads open and people moving as possible ahead of the next storm. By Saturday afternoon, high winds, and more snow or freezing rain could present yet another major weather-related headache for residents.

On Thursday afternoon, approximately half of Metro’s and Sound Transit’s bus service in King County was temporarily suspended due to weather and road conditions. Bus passengers should assume that will be the situation for Friday morning as well. Please check the Metro Online website before you leave home to see if your bus route is operating and if it is on snow routing.

In preparation for the morning commute, King County road crews will focus on plowing and sanding major arterials and other priority snow routes such as bridges, overpasses and steep hills overnight. But motorists are being warned that these targeted response efforts do not mean that arterials will not be icy in the morning given the hard freeze that’s expected during the night. So motorists should monitor weather forecasts and traffic reports before heading out. And if you must travel, you are reminded to be prepared to drive in bad weather. That includes having good all-season tires or chains and a full tank of gas in the car.

The Department of Transportation also has a reminder for parents tonight. When the area gets significant snowfall, steep neighborhood roadways become popular sledding spots for kids. But sledding on roads is an extremely dangerous way for kids to enjoy the snow. So residents are being asked to help avoid tragic accidents by suggesting an alternative safe location for winter fun.

Motorists are advised to check out King County Road Alerts for the latest information on road closures in unincorporated King County. Residents are also encouraged to report problems on county maintained roads by calling (206) 296-8100, or 1-800-KC ROADS if they live outside the greater Seattle calling area.

9:07 PM AND SLIGHTLY BEYOND: We’re taking some time to catch up on interesting info and pix we might have missed during the fast-and-furious pace of the morning/afternoon updates, now that (we hope) everyone is safe and warm at home. We’ll share what else we come up with, such as: KOMO’s weather blog explains the “thunder snow” that started all this, so many hours ago. Also: Thanks to the people who sent sunset shots; somehow we missed that peek of sun, but Maria captured it in a Christmas-card-perfect shot:

10:36 PM: Before a few more catchup photos from this momentous day, the latest “forecast discussion” is in. By most accounts, it’ll be very cold but dry tomorrow, and that next everything-but-the-kitchen-sink storm is still skulking out there somewhere for a Saturday night-ish arrival.

CLICK AHEAD TO SEE THE REST OF OUR “AS IT HAPPENED” FRIDAY NIGHT COVERAGE (INCLUDING PHOTOS):

From earlier, the fun side of the snow: Rosina says her kids Liam and Ava built the snowguy (48th and Hudson):

Sally M & Michael C caught a shot at Lincoln Park that seems to epitomize “ice fishing”:

They also sent other views of the LP waterfront, like these:

Over near Alki, Emily‘s dog Fiona was one of many pooches enjoying the snow:

Emily reported a multitude of spinouts at Admiral/63rd and implores people to drive slowly on icy roads, even when they’re flat. Of course, many people used alternative transportation:

Bill Corrigan got that photo at 41st/Graham. And outside West Seattle, Eddie spotted an even more alternative form of transportation on the move:

Imagine if we’d had the monorail by now, he said wistfully, angrily. To another photo now:
Wouldn’t it just have been easier to have wings? Babs photographed this guy:

Meantime, lots of snow-total reports – most around half a foot, like Rachel near Highland Park Elementary, where she’s estimating almost 7″ fell. One last reminder that the city’s going to try Thursday trash pickup TODAY, and Friday trash pickup Saturday – if yours doesn’t make it, bring it in and set out double next week (which is what Monday customers from earlier this week are supposed to do when Monday rolls around again).

Les December 18, 2008 (9:35 pm)

Driver of bus 120 route no. 2899 Rocks – – waited 2 hours for it on third after walking up from Columbia W Stop – – (weren’t going down Columbia) hundreds of folks waiting frozen toes. My gripe — young fit people sitting down when those with less vibrance are standing up the whole way and Won’t Move Back for their neighbors – – truly amazing and said so – lots of nods and finally some movement not much – allowed several other people to get out of the weather – –

Can we ask each other as neighbors on the bus to be more civilized – – nicely certainly but good grief – – – what have we come to . . .

Thx for listening and a big reminder to me to check WSB while at work for the word

celeste17 December 18, 2008 (9:53 pm)

we saw a lot of good bus drivers today. It wasn’t their fault that the buses were sent out unprepared and once they were out there was no way for them to get the proper equipment. I felt sorry for all the people who were stuck downtown. I once worked at the airport and had to find my way back to WS. Shared a cab with a couple and still had to walk a way. Then the next day I get into work and the manager says why didn’t you stay in the hotel that was provided? I said what Hotel? I had asked before I left if there was a Hotel room available for the workers and was told no. Go figure

celeste17 December 18, 2008 (9:58 pm)

What a pretty picture. It would make a pretty Christmas Card.

Some guy December 18, 2008 (10:08 pm)

Yes good bus drivers today. I hope they are compensated extra for their superb service. I don’t know what’s up with them young peoples today. I am a young person and would gladly help out those who need extra assistance. Or at least a seat. But then again I’m not an angel. Hope every one gets home alright! Peace to you out there West Seattle my home town. This blog is the best! I swear we get the best up to date coverage because of you WSB!!

mellaw6565 December 18, 2008 (10:13 pm)

Has anyone been out on 35th tonight? I was on it about 6 pm and it wasn’t too bad. Just wondering what it’s like now.

Alia December 18, 2008 (10:23 pm)

My mom had ~3,000 passengers on her pm Southbound Sounder train. It was so packed many had to stand in the bathrooms.

sw December 18, 2008 (11:15 pm)

Does anyone know how it is getting to the airport from WS?

Alice December 19, 2008 (12:04 am)

Took a 54 home from 3rd and Pike at 11pm. It had an “Express” sign up, but it ran a 100% normal route until I got off at the Junction.

It even made the turn from 3rd onto Columbia (eek!), and made it up the hill along 35th from Avalon to Alaska.

I was lucky to have my husband at home watching the bus websites for me, and once we got the Metro Tracker “Map View” to work, it had information that was within 3 blocks of correct. “Location View” was useless. We had to try a few times to get it to load – everyone else wanted to see it too!

Reports from some fellow bus-riders:
– Called a Taxi, the Taxi company said “If you’re not going to the airport, we’re not picking you up.”
– Waited for a bus to Delridge for 2 hours.

d December 19, 2008 (12:34 am)

Shuttleexpress.com is not taking any more reservations for trips to the airport through Sunday December 21. However, shuttle trips from hotels are still available. You just have to get to the hotels (which are listed on the site).

Molly December 19, 2008 (1:01 am)

Contemplating whether or not it is safe for me to attempt to get to work tomorrow. My car is currently snowed in on Holden headed up the hill from Delridge. Anyone been up the hill, know if its open? Safe? haha, I know.

….recent CD–>West Seattle transplants, just now discovering the wonders of the WSB. Wow! We are so thrilled to find this kind of community here. Looking forward to being active community members! :)