More snow is coming
December 16, 2008
By J.B. Wogan
News bulletin-
A winter storm warning is in effect through Thursday morning.
The National Weather Service is predicting 1-3 inches of snow today, Dec. 17, with 2-4 inches overnight. Are you ready? Is the city?
Bitter cold tempratures brought the season’s first snow on Dec. 13, blanketing the Cascade Mountains and these homes in Trossachs. More is coming Photo by Christopher Huber.
Police Chief Brad Thompson urged residents to think ahead about emergency situations this winter.
“The onus has to be one you,” Thompson said, adding that people should stock these things in their cars, in case of icy road conditions or other car problems in cold weather:
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Extra water and food
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Blankets
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A fully charged cell phone
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An umbrella
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A reflective vest
“Most of these things are available online,” Thompson said. In terms of house supplies, he said to stock up for seven days worth of resources, including pet food.
As for the city, Public Works Director John Cunningham said local roads should be in better condition than they were last year during the winter. Public works staff has been driving a handful of small trucks through Sammamish, laying down de-icing fluid in 12-hour increments since Saturday, Cunningham said.
The city is more prepared than last year, too, he said.
After running into problems with requesting additional de-icing fluid from King County last year, the city bought its own 7,000-gallon tank. That tank supplies the trucks, according to Cunningham.
Cunningham further explained that staff must spread the fluid around before a storm hits: While the fluid has some use if it’s poured over the ice or snow, it’s most effective if it sits underneath the accumulation, creating a Pam-effect — that is, like the cooking oil spray, the de-icing fluid keeps the ice or snow from sticking to the surface of the road, allowing snow plows to shovel it up with ease. The de-icing fluid works by lowering the temperature at which the ground freezes.
Speaking of snowplows, Thompson had one final word of advice for residents: “Get your car off the roadway, one way or another.”
If parked cars line the streets, snowplows can’t get through, he said.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com.
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