 Councilmember Dunn with King County Road Services Division crew members at a covered shed at the Krain Pit on the Enumclaw Plateau
Winter has definitely arrived, and across the region, folks are bracing for the next big snowfall. Some forecasts are projecting a substantial amount of snow to begin to fall starting Friday night and continuing through Sunday night (and possibly beyond). Though our weather can be unpredictable, I strongly encourage everyone to take steps to prepare for the worst.
I’d also like to recognize and thank the dedicated employees—both in King County and the cities and communities in District 9—who worked tirelessly this week to give us safe roads, provide emergency assistance, and keep essential services running. Many of these public servants have been putting in very long hours in cold and snowy conditions, and I am grateful for their dedication to keeping us safe and minimizing the impact as much as possible.
It truly takes a team to respond to a storm event like this one, and the King County Road Services Division is being bolstered by help from other departments rushing to their aid. King County Solid Waste is assisting with 10 additional truck drivers and equipment, and the Department of Natural Resources and Parks have loaned 10 dump trucks and over a dozen smaller commercial trucks. KC Roads is stocked up on all needed supplies, including chemical anti-icer, sand, and salt, and their 24/7 Roads Maintenance Helpdesk is well-staffed and at the ready to respond to calls.
In unincorporated areas in District 9, King County crews are doing their best to plow and sand critical snow routes. Though these efforts are operating under a limited budget, I’m committed to finding creative ways to increase county preparedness for extreme winter conditions. Recently, I was able to secure funding for the construction of sheds to store sand, salt, and maintenance equipment in locations across the county. These sheds have made possible for crews to treat more miles of road than before. Additionally, in our most recent budget cycle, I was able to include a proviso that I'm hopeful will lead to an increase in the mileage of roads plowed during snow storms in future years.
If you live in unincorporated King County, please visit these resources for more information:
- For a map of snow routes, click here.
- Stay up to date with closures, delays, projects, and available transportation aid through the King County Road Services website.
- For the fastest updates on road conditions, sign up for road alerts or follow the King County Road Services Division on Twitter at @kcroads.
- Get help with road maintenance and traffic safety issues by calling the 24/7 Road Helpline at 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237
If you live in or plan to travel in other communities in District 9, you can find relevant updates and resources through the links below, as well as general tips on how to navigate this week and weekend safely.
Finally, with high winds in the forecast, there is a chance that some people may lose power. In the case of a power outage, please call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773. You also can report the outage online and check PSE’s map of outages.
Above all, please stay safe. Be sure to stock up on food and supplies, and avoid unnecessary travel if possible!
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