Storm Tracker: Live winter weather event updates
Jan 20, 2012, 6:03 AM | Updated: 5:52 pm
The powerful Pacific Northwest storm that left Washington state coated in ice that brought much of the state to a standstill was supposed to taper off Friday, but forecasters say it’s been a slow transition out of freezing temperatures.
MyNorthwest.com will be tracking the latest developments in the waning storm including any changes in forecasts, and updates from transportation departments and public safety officials. Check back here for frequent updates and listen to 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM for the latest news.
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5:51 p.m. SR 522 open now that crews have removed tree.
5:40 p.m.Have any remaining snow photos you want to share? Send them here. See other reader submitted photos here and here.
5:26 p.m. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge should be reopened around 6:30 p.m.
5:18 p.m. 10,000 more people have power tonight, PSE is down to 230,000 customers without power, and they’re still at it.
5:17 p.m. Wappler says to follow PSE on Twitter
5:14 p.m. Andy Wappler with PSE called the region the world’s largest slurpie. Those road conditions are making it difficult for their trucks to get around.
5:10 p.m. Highway 19 is still shut down between I-90 and Auburn Way because of down trees. WSDOT is unsure when they’ll be able to reopen the road. In the meantime, check the rest of you traffic here.
5:02 p.m. If you’re a Puget Sound Energy customer and want to find out more about power outages in your area, .
4:58 p.m. It’s a rough go for crews still cleaning up spilled diesel on I-5 near Everett. Watch out if you’re traveling through that area.
4:54 p.m. Brandi Kruse just talked to someone at Pierce County Emergency management about carbon monoxide poisoning during the cold weather. The most common way people get it is from bringing outside heating sources inside – so don’t!
4:50 p.m. What are PSE crews trying to do right now? “The priority is to bring the big transmission lines and sub stations first and we have some of those lines and substations out of service across Thurston, king and pierce counties,” says Andy Wappler with PSE. Once they get those big lines fixed, their crews will be able to restore power a lot faster.
4:42 p.m. McChord Field experienced a accumulated more than nine inches of snow and caused massive power outages across the installation.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Leah Young took this totally awesome photo of the C-17 Globemaster III statue outside of building 100 encased in a tomb of snow and ice on Jan. 20.
4:36 p.m. WSDOT still doesn’t have an estimate on when the Tacoma Narrows Bridge might reopen. Hang tight!
4:32 p.m. Kimi Kline says that if you’re on the road you should watch out for standing water, down power lines and trees in the road. Be safe!Check your traffic cameras here.
4:27 p.m. About 50,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into Port Gardner Bay in Everett early this morning because of power surges. one of Everett’s pumping stations stopped pumping sewage for about an hour. City crews are taking water quality samples and posting signs to let people know about the spill.
4:15 p.m. WSDOT has closed the “runnel” (ramp/tunnel) from southbound 5 to eastbound 520 to clear out the standing water. Check your traffic cameras here.
4:09 p.m. I-5 in Everett continues to have traffic snarls. Watch out if you’re driving through. If you haven’t seen photos of the overturned semi in the same area this morning, check them out here.
4:05 p.m. Cabin fever? Need to get our of your cold house while the power is out? Celebrate the Olympic Sculpture Park’s 5th birthday with cupcakes, caramels and some “seriously cool hats.” on Saturday. Via
4:01 p.m. Between 9 a.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m. on Friday, Washington State Patrol responded to 3,123 traffic incidents statewide.
3:56 p.m. There is a 50 percent of chance of flooding in “a period of say 24 to 48 hours from now. This is particularly tricky when you have snow on the ground that’s melting on top of rain coming in,” says Jay Albrecht with the National Weather Service.
3:47 p.m. It’s melting! Beware of slush on the road.
3:43 p.m. SR 410 is now open.
3:37 p.m. Traffic reporter Kimi Kline says there are traffic lights out and trees and branches down all over the region. Out with the snow, in with the branches. Drive safe.
3:27 p.m. Roads are a little slushy, but much better conditions than days past. Check out the LIVE TRAFFIC CAMS before you leave the office.
3:17 p.m. 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM’s Ron Upshaw suggests checking out to determine if the power is out before you head home for the day. If you see color bars instead of an image, power is out to that camera.
3:14 p.m. You can call 2-1-1 to find warming centers, find out about power outages, and most other information about the storm that you’re seeking.
3:04 p.m. Remember when Mayor Nickels gave the city a grade for its storm response? The Seattle City Council is asking again.
“As this week’s storm comes to an end, I’m looking for feedback from the public as soon as possible,” said Rasmussen. “The City Council’s Transportation Committee will conduct a review of the City’s response to this significant snow and ice storm. We want to continue to improve how the City responds to storms and your comments, questions and recommendations are vital to our review.”
3:01 p.m. State Patrol is working to move cars off WB 16 at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Metro Traffic says some of those drivers have been waiting to move for three hours.
2:45 p.m. PSE’s Andy Wappler says they’re down to 240,000 outages. That’s down from 270,000 earlier this morning. Check for the latest updates from , , and .
2:35 p.m. Susan Stoltzfus says they have five or six crews clearing Seattle’s 80,000 storm drains. You do the math.
2:28 p.m. Nearly a quarter of a million people are without power out there, but crews are working to restore it. Puget Sound Energy sent out three helicopters Friday to do some scouting in remote areas within its territory.
2:24 p.m. Just checked EVERY WSDOT camera from Bellingham to Olympia and over to Hood Canal and every major roadway is totally clear. It’s raining in some areas, but the snow and ice are piled up on the sides of the roads. Now your neighborhood streets? That’s another story.
2:15 p.m. King County has opened warming shelters for people who have lost power and don’t have heat. Red Cross is running shelters in Federal Way and Issaquah. Here’s a
2:05 p.m. The Tacoma Narrows Bridges are still closed for falling ice. Kelly Stowe tells 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM there are no plans to get on the bridge to clear the ice.
(AP Photo/The News Tribune, Joe Barrentine)
2:02 p.m. KING-5 Meteorologist Jim Guy says a warm front is rolling in off the Pacific, bringing with it temps in the 40s and lots of rain.
2:00 p.m. A blizzard is keeping rescuers from continuing to search for four people missing on Washington’s Mount Rainier, according to AP.
1:45 p.m. The City of Seattle needs help clearing all of the storm drains. “If drains cannot be cleared, or if the cause of the blockage or flooding is uncertain, call Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800.”
1:41 p.m. Driver stopped at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge says a trooper said the bridges might be closed for another couple of hours due to falling ice. LIVE traffic cameras and flow map
1:37 p.m. Again, there’s a in effect through Saturday afternoon. The National Weather Service says “uncertainty is high with this event” because of the melting snow. Not only that, but forecasters say the wind will pick up north of Everett this evening, increasing the chance of power outages.
1:29 p.m. WSDOT captures a photo on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass during the storm.
1:14 p.m. WSDOT reports NB I-5 at Everett has reopened. Only right lane remains closed after overturned semi removed from roadway.
1:00 p.m. Seattle Schools says its students will make up one of the snow days next Friday which had originally been scheduled as a day off for semester break.
12:39 p.m. Overturned semi has been cleared from I-5 near Everett, but traffic is still being detoured at 41st St.
12:38 p.m. @wsdot_traffic reports: SR 18 westbound open between SR 167 and I-5.
12:22 p.m. Andy Wappler, with Puget Sound Energy, tells KING 5 they still have around 250,000 customers without power.
Wappler says PSE had restored power to 135,000 people after the snow storm Tuesday and Wednesday. They were down to only 15,000 customers without power early Thursday, but then the ice storm hit.
He says some customers may not get power back until the weekend, or even Monday.
Seattle City Light currently has only 61 customers without power. At last update, Tacoma Public Utilities had 1,100 customers without power. Snohomish County PUD reports they have 16,000 customers without power.
(Image courtesy Tacoma Public Utility)
Check for the latest updates from , , and .
12:09 p.m. Washington State Patrol Trooper Keith Leary tells KING 5 that they expect to have the NB lanes of I-5 at 41st St. in Everett reopen in an hour. Tow crews are working to remove an overturned semi.
11:55 a.m. Washington State Patrol Trooper Guy Gill reports both Tacoma Narrows Bridges will be closed shortly because of large chunks of ice falling on the bridge deck.
Live WSDOT shot of Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Check LIVE TRAFFIC CAMS before you drive.
11:49 a.m. 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM reporter Tim Haeck sent in a photo of a downed tree in Issaquah.
If you see extreme or fun winter scenes send us your snow photos. See the full photo gallery of photos sent in by MyNorthwest.com readers.
11:36 a.m. The National Weather Service has now issued a for our area.
ALL AREAS COULD SEE EXCESSIVE SURFACE RUNOFF WITH PONDING OF WATER…PONDING AROUND CLOGGED DRAINS OR CULVERTS…AND/OR SMALL STREAMS GOING OVER THEIR BANKS. WORSE AREA FLOODING COULD OCCUR IN SPOTS…UNCERTAINTY IS HIGH WITH THIS EVENT AND THE SNOW MELT IS A BIG PART OF THAT UNCERTAINTY.
The City of Seattle is asking that you help out by clearing out nearby storm drains. Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn made a to show you how.
11:30 a.m. Washington State Patrol Trooper Keith Leary says the semi crash was due to an SUV driving too fast, hitting slush and crossing into semi truck’s lane.
11:08 a.m. KING 5’s Jim Guy (@JimGuyWx) reports: “New coastal radar shows large area of rain moving closer to coast. Should arrive around midday for most.”
10:54 a.m. An overturned semi-truck is blocking all lanes of NB I-5 at 41st St in Everett.
(Image courtesy Washington State Patrol Trooper Keith Leary)
Check in the area.
10:34 a.m. 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM reporter Chris Sullivan has been on the roads since the winter storm hit. Read his account of things he saw and experienced in 1,100 miles of winter weather driving.
10:11 a.m. Last update from PSE had 250,000 customers without power. Seattle City Light has 504 customers with no power. Tacoma Public Utility last reported 1,100 people without power. As of 9:30 a.m. Snohomish County PUD still had 16,000 customers in the dark.
Check for updates from , , , and .
See PSE workers braving the elements in their .
10:05 a.m. Tom Douglas Co. reports doors will be open today at all Tom Douglas restaurants.
You can listen to Tom Douglas and Thierry Rautureau’s Seattle Kitchen Show tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. on 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM, and on demand anytime.
9:52 a.m. 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM news anchor Jessica Gottesman tells The Ross and Burbank Show that the snow has been melting slowly in Issaquah. She says her biggest problem has been keeping two 5-year-old twin boys occupied without power.
9:46 a.m. King County Public Health is reminding those without power to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and never use generators or charcoal or gas grills indoors. View the , available in multiple languages.
9:38 a.m. Woodland Park Zoo has reopened after snow. There still may be some fun animal snow sights like this.
9:05 a.m. 710 ESPN’s Matt Pitman posted a photo of sledder remnants from a popular hill position on Denny in Seattle.
9:01 a.m. Seattle is asking city residents to help prevent flooding and keep an eye out for falling ice.
“With the thaw on the way, the City is asking residents and businesses to locate nearby storm drains in the street and • if it’s safe • to clear them of snow and debris,” says the . “Pedestrians should exercise caution • many sidewalks are icy, and there is danger of falling ice from trees, buildings and power lines.”
8:52 a.m. 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM reporter Chris Sullivan says “COVER YOUR HEAD AND LOOK UP.”
“I’ve seen lots of snow and ice falling off rooftops,” says Sullivan. “There’s plenty of hazards where you’re not expecting them.”
8:44 a.m. Andy Wappler with Puget Sound Energy says that there are still 255,000 people without power, but 20 crews have been out overnight, and 100 crews will be in action now that they have daylight.
Wappler says they’re hopeful improving road conditions will make repairs easier for crews, but he says there will still likely be many without power heading into the weekend.
“Right now it is likely we will have a lot of people out of power through the weekend,” says Wappler.
A wind storm is in the forecast for Saturday night, and Wappler says that could mean more people losing the lights.
“If we do see widespread 30 to 40 mph wind that’s going to take down some trees.”
For people that still have power, Wappler says take the opportunity to prepare for a potential outage.
“We’ve actually done scientific studies it’s easier to find the flashlight before the lights go out,” says Wappler.
8:34 a.m. King County reminds residents to save 911 for emergencies and to report outages to your power provider. Here are more for non-emergency situations.
8:30 a.m. WSDOT spots an ice sculpture on one of its traffic cameras.
Check LIVE TRAFFIC CAMS before you drive.
8:29 a.m. 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM traffic reporter Kimi Kline says HWY 99 reopen at Battery Street tunnel after icicle removal.
8:26 a.m. that “on this day in 1993, the Inaugural Day Storm wreaked havoc across Western Washington.”
8:01 a.m. SDOT reports HWY 99 through the Battery Street Tunnel is closed for maintenace. 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM reporter Kimi Kline says they are removing icicles.
7:55 a.m. KOMO reports I-5 is completely shut down between Centralia and Grand Mound due to power lines over the roadway.
7:34 a.m. Brad Coleman with the National Weather Service “I think we’re moving in the right direction,” as rain begins falling around the Seattle area.
7:31 a.m. Several cities around Puget Sound break out of freezing temperatures! Here are the latest temperatures:
Tacoma: 34
Seattle: 33
Everett: 33
Bellevue: 33
7:20 a.m. WSDOT says crews are still busying working to keep roads clear.
“We have about 193 plows from Olympia to the Canadian border,” says WSDOT Emergency Operations Center spokesman Patrick Conrad.
7:19 a.m. 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM traffic reporter Kimi Kline says HWY 18 is still closed betwen I-5 and 167, and between Auburn Way and I-90.
6:56 a.m. King County reminds residents as snow melts, there is a flooding concern. Check storm drains, clear any ice and debris. Check .
Barnaby Dow, with the King County Emergency Coordination Center, called into 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM Seattle’s Morning News to tell people things they can do to try and prevent flooding.
6:48 a.m. 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM Reporter Chris Sullivan (@newsguysully) tweets: Kudos to road crews. They really did a great job on freeway. Smooth from Everett to Tacoma. Still some spinouts though.
6:20 a.m. Patrick Conrad, with the Washington State Department of Transportation, says there is a little less ice on the roads, but drivers should still take it slow.
“We’re going to see more slush on the roadway and a little less snow,” says Patrick Conrad with the Washington State Department of Transportation. “But they [drivers] should still be cautious when they go out today.”
Live WSDOT images on the Eastside and in downtown Seattle.
Check LIVE TRAFFIC CAMS before you drive.
6:11 a.m. KING 5’s Jim Guy reports Seattle area is still below freezing. He says there’s also bad news for keeping folks around the Northwest in power because a wind storm with potential gusts of 45 mph set to come in on Saturday.
(Wind could be the next threat for trees.)
6:09 a.m. 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM reporter Kimi Kline reports areas of standing water on roadways with warming temperatures.
6:08 a.m. Several school districts remain closed Friday morning. Check the latest school closures.
5:47 a.m. KING 5’s Jim Guy tells 97.3 ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ FM Seattle’s Morning News warmer temperatures are coming, “and this time we mean it.”
Guy says temperatures around Seattle are still around freezing, but that will change.
“This is just an incredibly slow transition to get into the low 30s to get this stuff to melt,” says Guy.
5:30 a.m. The Associated Press reports 270,000 customers are still without power around Western Washington.
Check for updates from , , , and .