Week of MLK Jr. Weekend Winter Weather
Published on January 10, 2024
Media Contact:
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 587-3021
Original post from January 10:
Kirkland, Wash – Freezing temperatures and snow are in the forecast for the coming holiday weekend. City of Kirkland Public Works Department Streets and Grounds crews have geared up and are ready to tackle extreme winter weather conditions. They'll be out on Kirkland's roads as needed working to make transportation possible and safe.
The best way community members can help themselves stay safe is to prep ahead of time and stay inside. As always, if you're experiencing an emergency during a winter storm or cold weather event, call 9-1-1.
Here are some other tips for community members to be prepared heading into the weekend:
Check the Roads and Drive Snow Smart
Avoid driving in snowy and other freezing conditions.
If you need to drive, visit City’s new snowplow tracking map. Just launched, it includes the current location of our snowplows and our traffic cameras! While you’re there, take a look at the snowplow priority map. You can find both by visiting www.kirklandwa.gov/snow.
Please park your vehicles in your driveway or garage to give our Public Works crews and first responders access to the street. If a vehicle blocks snow and ice response activities, police may have your vehicle towed to clear the road.
Do not abandon your vehicle - it is a hazard to emergency responders. Please pull off the road if you are in a minor, non-injury accident so that you do not block the roadway and cause additional collisions. Minor accidents can be reported online by visiting the Washington State Patrol at: https://www.wsp.wa.gov/driver/collision-records/
Prevent Freezing Pipes
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold-water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.
Safely Clear Sidewalks
In Kirkland, it’s the property owner’s responsibility to keep driveways and sidewalks clear of snow and ice. If you can, please consider checking in with neighbors who may have challenges clearing their sidewalks.
Sweep the Salt
Spreading salt and de-icers on our sidewalks and driveways helps keep us safe in icy conditions. But when washed off to storm drains, the salts and chemicals in de-icers can be harmful to our creeks, lakes, and wetlands.
Spread deicer before snow and ice start to accumulate. This will prevent snow from bonding with the pavement and speed the melting process.
Use products according to the instructions on the label and give them time to work. Using more doesn’t work better – it’s just more expensive and means more pollution for our local waterways.
Use a hand-held spreader to help you apply a consistent amount of product.
Then, after snow and ice melts, or when temperatures warm, sweep up any excess salt or sand and throw it in the trash.
Know Who to Contact
To report a power outage or view the power outage map, download the PSE app or visit the PSE website at: https://www.pse.com/outage, or call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773. For tree issues on or near power lines, contact PSE at 1-888-225-5773 to report.
In the case of an urgent public right-of-way issue, call our 24/7 line at 425-587-3900.
Stay in the Know
For weather conditions and updates, visit NWS Seattle.
For road conditions, visit WSDOT’s real-time travel data.
Learn more about Kirkland’s Snow Response efforts at http://www.kirklandwa.gov/snow/
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