West Seattle, Washington
12 Sunday
6:35 PM: A crash response on the eastbound bridge has closed the exit to Highway 99, according to scanner traffic, a reader report, and an SDOT tweet, which adds that the right lane is blocked at that spot too. Metro says Routes 120, 125, and the C Line are routed off the Viaduct as a result.
6:56 PM: Haven’t heard yet if that has reopened – Seattle Fire units have cleared – but now there’s word of a crash on the westbound bridge by the Delridge exit.
7:17 PM: SDOT says the eastbound crash scene is now clear.
7:20 PM: Also just checked out a report that a police car had blocked off 17th SW and SW Henderson. We talked to the parking-enforcement officer who is with that car; utility lines are down in the area and they’re waiting for Seattle City Light to come determine if they’re power lines or some other utility, but they don’t want to run the risk in the meantime that a passing vehicle might snag the lines.
(SCROLL DOWN for newest weather/traffic/power info)
(Above: 2 live cams; you’ll find more on the WSB Traffic page)
6:17 AM: Lightning and thunder are accompanying the next storm band headed this way – so we’ll be tracking that as well as watching the roads and buses. If you’re headed out on foot/bike, obviously, wait a bit! Wind is roaring through with this, too.
Lightning and crazy rain from @wsferries Hyak @ScottSKOMO @NWSSeattle pic.twitter.com/nBxe4QnskP
— zargoman (@zargoman) December 9, 2015
(Added: Lightning from ferry Hyak, video tweeted by @zargoman)
6:36 AM: The lightning/thunder/wind appears to have moved on, for now. Left some hail behind in spots too – thanks for this texted photo from an Alki alley:
Michelle sent this closeup look:
(added) WSB’s Christopher Boffoli said some of what fell at his house was even nickel-sized:
6:48 AM: The City Light map shows one pocket of power outage, 114 homes/businesses in Westwood (added – also 25 in Fairmount Springs, near Fauntleroy/Raymond). If you have power and/or road trouble, please let us know (once you’ve notified authorities!) – comment here or text/voice to our 24/7 hotline 206-293-6302.
7 AM: Via Twitter, @janaobscura says bridge traffic is worse than usual for this hour, too.
7:29 AM: Breezy but at least here near Lincoln Park, the rain is taking a break. Keep in mind that after all that rain, trees can be at risk – Peter sent the photo of this one down against a house in Seaview:
We’re checking out one in Arbor Heights too. No reports of road blockages so far.
7:46 AM: That may be changing – we’re off to check out a possible tree-over-road near Lincoln Park. Meantime, if you have to report a road emergency such as a tree, as explained here earlier this fall, SDOT says THE number is 206-386-1218.
8:03 AM: The aforementioned tree is across 44th SW south of Southern – and a couple of guys were working to clear it, but if you use the “switchbacks” between California and Fauntleroy, that might be a trouble spot for a bit.
8:46 AM: Another post-storm hazard for drivers/bike riders/walkers in neighborhoods – lots of branches, small and large, blown off trees. We noticed this on 41st SW west of Fairmount Park, from which Peter sent this updated photo of tree vs. house:
If you haven’t been out yet – still breezy but lots of blue sky; if we didn’t have the photographic evidence (thanks to everyone who has contributed!) you’d never know how this day began!
9:39 AM: More storm aftermath – thanks for the tips! Another toppled tree – this one in Arbor Heights:
And on 41st, not far from the house shown above, a big branch is down on the street, taken off this tree, which has a blackened spot almost as if it had a lightning strike:
Thanks also to G for the info that the Westwood-area outage mentioned earlier is affecting some (but not all) of the businesses at the center – you might want to call ahead if you’re heading that way.
10:08 AM: Some branches brought down this morning are themselves the size of trees.
Joe Szilagyi shared the photo of an 18-foot branch down at his house in Arbor Heights.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! New weather alert overnight – now a “wind advisory” is in effect until 3 pm (read it here). And after a rainy night, you’re going to find trouble spots like the “big bad puddle” at Fauntleroy/Raymond, as tweeted by Megan:
Here are all the ways to contact us.
UPCOMING 99 CLOSURES: As announced by WSDOT on Monday. They all involve the Battery Street Tunnel *northward* but still could affect traffic between the tunnel and bridge, so here’s the heads-up:
Full closure Dec. 18-19
During this closure, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will set up a work zone between the northbound and southbound SR 99 lanes near Harrison Street in order to build the permanent median barrier.
SR 99/Aurora Avenue North will be closed between the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley Street:
Northbound lanes: Closed from 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19
Southbound lanes: Closed from 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18 to 7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. One southbound lane will remain closed until 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19Lane closures Dec. 14-22
Additionally, crews installing a variable message sign may close one southbound lane of SR 99 between Roy and Mercer streets from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly, Monday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 17 and Monday, Dec. 21 through Tuesday, Dec. 22.
Long-term lane closures beginning mid-January
Contractor crews will install the foundations for new overhead traffic signs on SR 99/Aurora Avenue North between Highland Drive and the Aurora Bridge. One lane in each direction will be closed around the clock for approximately seven weeks. An additional lane will be closed at night when there is less traffic on the road and on some weekends to provide additional work zone for the contractor. One lane will remain open during this work.
8:10 AM: We’ve been out checking on other perennial water-over-road trouble spots, such as W. Marginal Way SW – so far, nothing major. But if the forecast heavier rain arrives this afternoon, that could change.
8:53 AM: Just got a text about water over Delridge by Orchard/Myrtle. Off to check.
9:03 AM: It’s cleared – aside from a sizable curbside puddle by the northbound Delridge bus stop north of Orchard.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
8:32 AM: The rain has been the major factor in an overall slow commute so far this morning; no major incidents in the area.
9:53 AM: Important note from “Trickycoolj” in the comments:
There are MASSIVE potholes on Sylvan Way next to Home Depot. The rain is hiding them. They are longer than a car tire and yesterday you could see the dirt underneath the roadway they were so deep. It appears that someone (maybe SPD) put some very beat up orange cones in them this morning and they are half submerged the holes are so deep. Be careful or you’ll be buying new tires for Christmas!!
Potholes can be reported either through the city’s Find It Fix It app or this online form.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
One problem in the area as we head for the start of the commute – the aftermath of a crash on the northbound 1st Avenue South bridge is reported to have backed up traffic for miles.
WEEKEND PREVIEWS: Another reminder about Saturday night – SW Alaska will close between California and 42nd for the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting, 4-8 pm tomorrow. (Here’s our update with the tree-lighting lineup.) … Work is scheduled to start tomorrow on dock upgrades at Seacrest to get it ready for new, larger Water Taxi vessel M/V Doc Maynard.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:30 AM: Good morning – rainy morning, with wind expected later – most likely during the afternoon/evening commute hours – but no incidents in or from West Seattle right now.
SATURDAY NIGHT REMINDER: SW Alaska will be closed between 42nd and California for the West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting, approximately 4-8 pm. While that will reroute the C Line and 50 buses, they won’t miss any stops, Metro says.
8:17 AM: From Mike via Twitter, “Stalled semi truck in the right lane West Seattle Bridge just before getting onto I-5 north.”
4:11 PM: If you are about to head home via the westbound West Seattle Bridge – you might find things slower going than usual for a while, because of a stalled vehicle in the center lane just west of the 99 overpass. Thanks to Eddie for the original tip; SDOT is tracking this too.
4:33 PM: This is now reported to be clear; thanks to Manuel for the update.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:22 AM: No road incidents so far during this morning’s outbound commute. Ferry capacity on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run remains reduced, with Tillikum continuing to replace Issaquah after yesterday’s breakdown; Issaquah is back on the water this morning but on a different run instead, serving as second vessel for Seattle-Bainbridge after a breakdown there.
Now that it’s Wednesday, a weekend reminder – Saturday, SW Alaska will be closed between 42nd and California for the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays tree lighting, This means RapidRide C Line and Route 50 will be rerouted from about 4 pm to 8 pm. According to Metro, no stops will be missed.
8:19 AM: Still relatively quiet on the local routes.
3:16 PM: Thanks to the person who texted us with the tip that a crash reported on Admiral Way just west of California SW involves several cars. So far we’ve heard that no one is hurt but eastbound traffic on Admiral is affected. We’re en route to find out more.
3:36 PM: Our crew sent the photo added above and reports that four cars are involved, right in front of the Bank of America. Eastbound lanes are blocked there while tow trucks are awaited.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:23 AM: No incidents on the roads through/from West Seattle so far this morning, but the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route has one big problem – M/V Issaquah is now out of service for repairs, which means some cancellations – track them here.
7:32 AM: And some good news – no worries about icy roads, paths, sidewalks, or windshields this morning, as it’s well above freezing.
10:44 AM: WSF says M/V Tillikum will replace Issaquah this afternoon, so they can get back to the 3-boat schedule. Remember, though, it’s smaller.
Thanks to the person who just texted the alert about a crash on Delridge Way south of Orchard. They say traffic is backing up both ways in the area – so if you’re just about to head out, consider an alternate route for a while.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:07 AM: Good morning! It’s back-to-work, back-to-school day – and it’s been a foggy, sub-freezing night, so please beware of icy roads, paths, sidewalks, windshields, etc.
12:08 PM: While the morning commute was fairly uneventful, there was some trouble on the westbound bridge this past half-hour – frosty spots remain here and there – such as, the Delridge offramp:
Thanks to Ted for the tip about the spinout, and the photo. From the cameras, it seems the ramp remains open. SFD crews were canceled fairly quickly so, apparently, no serious injuries.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Two transit reminders for today:
-No Water Taxi
–Metro is on a “reduced weekday/no UW” schedule
If you’re going downtown today – remember the road closures for this morning’s parade and tonight’s tree/star lighting; here’s info from SDOT.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:38 AM: Cold but relatively calm out there. Transit reminders for tomorrow again: The West Seattle Water Taxi will be out of service both days; Metro buses will be on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving, “reduced weekday” on Friday; Sound Transit Route 560 will be on the “weekend” schedule on Thanksgiving, “weekday” on Friday; Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run, regular schedule.
ONE MORE FRIDAY REMINDER: The annual holiday parade in the morning and Westlake Center tree lighting in the evening bring street closures – details are in the SDOT weekend preview.
8:28 AM: And a reminder for today – school’s out one hour early (for the schools that are still in session – elementary/K-8 has been out all week for parent/teacher conferences) to get the four-day Thanksgiving break started.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:40 AM: No incidents through/from West Seattle so far this soggy morning.
7:56 AM: Since it’s quiet so far, we’ll take a moment to preview transit plans for Thursday-Friday – The West Seattle Water Taxi will be out of service both days; Metro buses will be on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving, “reduced weekday” on Friday; Sound Transit Route 560 will be on the “weekend” schedule on Thanksgiving, “weekday” on Friday; Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run, regular schedule.
8:23 AM: We’re at 50th/Alaska checking out a collision that involved a school bus and a car. Some kids were on board but no one was hurt and another bus has already picked them up to continue their trip to school (they won’t say what school, so we’ll have to check with SPS).
The (short) bus’s front end is a bit mashed up (photo added), as is the car’s right front end. (added) The district – for whom First Student is a contractor – says four students were on board, confirms none were hurt.
(Five WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: The Thanksgiving countdown begins. One change in traffic patterns today: No classes at Seattle Public Schools elementary and K-8 schools this week because of parent/teacher conferences. For other SPS schools, holiday break starts Thursday (with early dismissal Wednesday).
8:56 AM: Relatively quiet commute wrapping up; not unusual for a holiday week. One note – we have multiple reports of a water break in the 9300 block of 47th SW and are checking both at the scene and with Seattle Public Utilities.
9:19 AM: 47th is closed at Brace Point because of this. We’ll have a separate update as soon as we hear back from SPU.
A two-car crash and the emergency response to it has Harbor Avenue SW blocked both ways in the 1300 block [map]. No further details on the crash – no major injuries reported so far – just an FYI if you’re headed out from, or back toward, that area.
(Five WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:13 AM: Good morning! Still no high-bridge cameras working, but from all the other info sources, no incidents so far.
FROST ALERT: If you will be heading out via a car you park outdoors – you’ll need to do some ice-scraping:
Icy windshield alert. pic.twitter.com/WrtzVDSUwS
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) November 20, 2015
7:59 AM: Traffic alert for tomorrow:
Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation plan to close one southbound lane on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, SR99, at the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel on Saturday, Nov. 21. The on- and off-ramps will remain open. The crews will repair a guardrail starting at 3:30 a.m. and complete the work before 5 p.m.
BUS STOP CHANGES DOWNTOWN STARTING MONDAY: In case you haven’t already seen Metro’s alerts about Third Avenue – here’s what’s changing and what’s not.
(Five WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:04 AM: Good morning! If you use NB 99 north of downtown, you should know that a crash north of the Battery St. Tunnel is causing some backups. That’s the only incident right now on the major routes through/from here.
7:14 AM: The 47th/Admiral stoplight is flashing red, according to a texter. That means it’s an all-ways stop, but they say some aren’t treating it that way.
(MORNING STORM COVERAGE IS HERE, including 2 power outages … ROAD HAZARD? Call 206-386-1218)
12:55 PM: We start our afternoon report with word of two tree-trouble spots:
*The Highland Park Way hill west of W. Marginal Way SW is reported to be closed in both directions because of a downed tree.
*A tree is also reported down at Olson and Myers. Traffic effects unknown; we’re off to check.
1:10 PM: SDOT reports Highland Park Way is open again.
1:32 PM: Just checked out the Myers/Olson situation. Southbound Myers is blocked off at Olson – you can’t turn onto it (photo above shows the roped-off exit lane from eastbound Olson); crews are on the road. Also of note, DEEP water across SW Roxbury at the easternmost entrance to Safeway. Lots of puddling on roads everywhere you go – we’ve been talking mostly about the wind, but the rain has continued, and the ground already was saturated from the recent 4-inches-in-3-days storm.
2:07 PM: While you can use Myers northbound, you can’t turn onto westbound Olson – that’s taped off too.
2:27 PM: The National Weather Service says things should start to get better after another hour or so in the metro area.
2:48 PM: As Katelyn notes in comments, SFD is responding to downed wire(s) at Beach Drive and Canada.
The Seattle City Light map (screengrab above) shows a 79-customer outage nearby. Several people have told us they heard two “booms” just before the power went out. Today’s two other multiple-customer West Seattle outages (in our morning coverage) were resolved relatively quickly.
3:42 PM: That outage is now described as “equipment failure” which would seem to verify the transformer suspicion. Meantime, if you passed a crash scene at 16th/Barton, that wasn’t weather-related – we’re working on a separate story we’ll link here when done (update: it’s here). This next photo, however, does seem to be weather-related:
Keri says that’s near Holy Rosary School.
3:52 PM: Cil says in comments that Myers/Olson is back to normal. (Thanks to everyone for updates as well as initial reports – 206-293-6302 is our text/voice hotline 24/7.)
4:22 PM: On Puget Ridge, Andy says this tree is hanging precariously low over SW Brandon:
@westseattleblog partially down tree on Brandon between 17th and 18th SW. pic.twitter.com/rWM7XGFafE
— Andy DeBroux (@brouxhaha) November 18, 2015
6:36 PM: Thanks for the updates. The weather has calmed, as forecast, but still some trouble out there. Our site was down for a while but that was not weather-related – it’s hosted out of the city especially so that it will be safe in case of catastrophe here; the server company just happened to have a massive problem that affected many sites including ours. Meantime, word of more trees toppling at day’s end – one blocking part of Orchard near Delridge, and this one on Webster by the Solstice Park P-Patch (east of Fauntleroy Way):
We’ll likely start a storm-aftermath report in a bit so please keep the updates coming – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
(Five WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:11 AM: Sorry about the lack of camera views for the high bridge – you might recall that SDOT was replacing them last weekend, and this morning, neither is working. So far, though, while the wind has kicked up as expected, no major problems in or from West Seattle.
7:51 AM: Still nothing out of the ordinary around here – all the trouble this morning has been on the Eastside. Weather-wise, we haven’t hit the peak period yet – the National Weather Service has shifted the “High Wind Warning” to 8 am-6 pm, with strongest gusts expected to start around 10.
8:50 AM: First power outage of the storm, and it’s a big one, more than 4,800 customers. We’ve launched a separate storm report, starting with the outage – find it here. And if there’s storm trouble in your neighborhood – trees down, etc. – please let us know at 206-293-6302 (text or voice).
(Photo courtesy Chris Monsos)
3:35 PM: Big Seattle Fire and Police response headed right now for a crash reported on the Delridge offramp from the westbound West Seattle Bridge. It was originally reported as a potential “heavy rescue” situation but is being scaled back. We’re on the way to see what we can find out.
3:46 PM: Overturned van, according to Jen in comments and Chris via the photo we’ve just added. No word yet on injuries. SDOT says the ramp is blocked right now so the van can be towed.
4:21 PM: Even before the van was to be towed, Chris said, traffic was getting around. We’ve added a photo sent by our crew.
4:32 PM: Metro says this has rerouted buses on Routes 50, 120, 125. If you’re headed that way, use stops south of Genesee TFN.
4:52 PM: SDOT says the ramp is now clear. (And, two minutes later, Metro says its buses on Delridge are back to normal routes.)
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: Temperatures were into the 30s first thing today, and roads were still wet last night after 4 inches of rain in 3 days, so be aware that slick, maybe even icy, roads and sidewalks are a possibility.
DELRIDGE/ORCHARD ALERT: As of late last night, Orchard east of Delridge had reopened after Seattle Public Utilities tackled a sewage overflow, but a short section was narrowed – one lane each way – because the trouble spot is cordoned off on the westbound side. So this may be slow going for the morning commute.
HELICOPTER DRILL REMINDER: 11 am-noon today, per the alert sent last week by the Port of Seattle, helicopters will be part of a disaster-preparedness exercise at Terminal 5 in West Seattle.
7:36 AM: Texter says a vehicle is stalled on the onramp from the eastbound bridge to NB 99, but traffic is “getting by.”
Stall: Eastbound W Seattle Bridge at SR 99, partially blocking the exit ramp. Use caution and expect delays pic.twitter.com/usVXbNcTkS
— seattledot (@seattledot) November 16, 2015
11:50 AM: We went by the Delridge/Orchard scene at mid-morning; it’s fully open now, no more lane constraints. (We expect an update later in the day on what led to the sewage overflow.)
3:38 PM: Crash reported at Delridge offramp from westbound bridge – we’re updating here.
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