North West Region Risks
Winter Storms
Winter storms can range from a normal snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Many winter storms bring dangerously low temperatures and, sometimes, strong winds, icing, sleet, and freezing rain. One of the main concerns is that winter weather can knock out heat, power, and communication, sometimes for days at a time. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can have serious effects on an entire region. Icy roadways can cause serious accidents, and sometimes people die from being in really cold temperatures for too long.
Resources to help you get ready:
Snow routes
- Visit the FEMA library to download more facts about Winter Storms & Extreme Cold
- Snow, Ice and Extreme Cold - City of Seattle
- Two weeks of wicked winter weather whack Washington
Resources to help you get ready:
- Emergency check list
- Commuters: are you prepared for emergencies?
- Preparing your car
- Preparing for and responding to power outages
- Never use generators inside your home, garage or carports. (tips for using a generator during power outages, standby or back-up generators)
- Never cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill, they can cause a buildup of poisonous carbon monoxide gas. carbon monoxide safety
- Help keep storm drains clear, clean gutters and down spouts regularly: adopt a drain
- Flood safety: preventing, protecting, cleaning up and drying out
- Winter safe newsletter
- Winter driving tips SDOT
- 2013–2014 winter weather SDOT
Snow routes
- UW Seattle campus’ current snow removal status GIS map (roads) and (sidewalks)
- Seattle Department of Transportation’s winter weather plan and response map
- King Metro snow alert page
