Snohomish County declares state of emergency ahead of weekend snow

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

After recovering from an icy blow last weekend, another round of snow is expected to strike Washington over Friday and Saturday. Ahead of the weekend snow, Snohomish County declared a State of Emergency, effective Friday, Feb. 8 at 8 a.m.

The safety of our residents is always our highest priority,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers in a news release. “We’d much rather be prepared and not have a major event than the alternative. The storms headed this way have the potential to create terrible road conditions and power outages. I’d ask our neighbors to prepare now and make sure they have enough supplies to last for the duration of the storms.”

County officials advise residents to get grocery shopping done ahead of time, top off gas tanks, protect pets from the cold, and check on elderly neighbors with special needs.

Snohomish County Road Maintenance crews will be fully staffed around the clock when the snow arrives, working 12-hour shifts plowing roads and salting roads. Up to 40 plows are scheduled to be working on unincorporated roads at any given time.

http://mynorthwest.com/1264536/washington-snow-storm-february-2019/

[gopiscrap]

1. Wow so often the weather people mess it up here and everyone panics

this time tho, ALL the weather models point to a significant snow event...we're not equipped for that in this region

[HeiressofBickworth]

2. I live in Snohomish County

Went to the grocery store about 6:30 tonight. No, not stocking up on anything, I was out of a number of items so I needed to go to the store. What a mess! I got the last cart in the front of the store. The produce shelves were nearly bare. I got the next to last cucumber off the shelf. Other shelves were bare. People with carts overflowing with groceries. Lines to the cashiers stretched nearly to the back of the store. Lets not even talk about the parking lot. There is still snow and ice from the storm last weekend. No telling where the lines were between parking spots.

I've lived here since the 70's. We used to get power outages fairly regularly -- every time we had a storm with accompanying wind. I recall one time we were without power for 4 days. Since then, the town has been diligent about keeping branches off power lines, because most of the outages are caused by broken branches across power lines. We have had fewer outages in recent years. Although we have a fireplace, it is never used and we don't keep a stockpile of wood to burn. So a power outage would be quite unpleasant. The best I can do at this point is light the Sterno under my 55 year old fondue pot to make some "hot" water. For me, if I can have a hot cup of tea, I'm good.

[customerserviceguy]

3. What, are they getting four inches?

By the way, I used to live in Snohomish County, and I do know that they do not have the ability to deal with it like they do in NY, where I moved to in 2007 before moving to SC in 2017. The only ice I see here is in my drink!

[HeiressofBickworth]

4. Reports vary widely

Expected snow anywhere from 5 to 12 inches, depending on elevation. Last weekend we had about six inches on the deck, most of which is still there. My dear old car (18 years old) has about 4 inches on top and the locks are frozen. Got a ride to the store from my daughter. It has also been cold -- 26 degrees on Wednesday -- so not much is melting off other than in the high traffic streets. And then there is the danger of black ice. Since we get snow like this only every couple of years and it usually lasts only a couple of days, the expenditure of capital for massive snow removal and ice treatment is just too much. And, as you know, there are hills everywhere which makes for even more dangerous driving.

On the town's web page the snow removal priority streets have been identified. Priority 1, 2 and 3. My street and connecting streets aren't even a priority.

While you are enjoying the ice in your drink, I'm going to make a pot of tea while I still can.

[RainCaster]

5. I'm ready.

Lots of extra food. Full tank of propane, enough for 6 weeks at least. Generator is filled, 18 extra gals waiting. It powers the well, so we have plenty of water.