Hot, Hot, Hot
August 4, 2009
Sammamish and region endure record-setting temps
The heat hadn’t changed Carson Denny’s habits one bit. He was already visiting Pine Lake Park every day this summer.
“I go for the girls, mostly,” Denny said.
With the temperature outside reaching into the 100s, Sammamish residents were looking for ways to stay cool. On July 29, the official temperature at Sea-Tac Airport hit 103 degrees – the highest temperature on record in 115 years.
Photo by J.B. Wogan Zakk Weber, 11, launches into the water from the Pine Lake Park dock. His friend Adam Nakanishi, 16, watches the jump. Photo by J.B. Wogan
Cool tips for hot weather
July 28, 2009
Stay cool during Sammamish heat wave
July 28, 2009
New: July 28, 1:23 a.m.
In response to the excessive heat warning and air stagnation advisory issued by the National Weather Service, several cooling centers have been designated in King County.
In Sammamish, county officials are recommending you head to the Sammamish library, 825 228th Ave. NE or the Redmond Senior Center, 8703 160th Ave. NE.
“We are a cooling shelter, because our customary operations have air conditioning,” said Marsha Iverson, a spokeswoman for the King County Library System. “We do not anticipate and have no plans for emergency relief. So, if people are already in trouble, we are not the people to help with that.”
If you do experience nausea; paleness; a throbbing headache; rapid pulse; hot, red or dry skin; muscle cramps; or fainting, you could be experiencing heat exhaustion or a heat stroke, so call 911, an Eastside Fire & Rescue press release said.
While the library is not set up to handle emergency situations, Iverson said, it can act as a place to keep cool and ensure you don’t fall victim to excessive heat.
“So, if you’re sweating under your fan on the couch, pack up the family and come here,” she said. “We are a place that has air conditioning and power, so bring your laptop and settle in. We’re free.”
The library is open from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday; from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday; from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday; and from 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
The Redmond Senior Center is open 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. Call 556-2314.
Beat the heat
Drink more fluids: Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Stay away from alcohol and sugary liquids.
Stay indoors: Preferably in an air-conditioned or cool place, like a basement. If you don’t have these options, go to a shopping mall or library to help your body stay cool.
Electric fans: Will help, but may not prevent heat-related illness. If you can’t go to an air-conditioned location, try taking a cool shower or bath.
Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
Never leave anyone, including pets, in a closed, parked vehicle.
Source: Eastside Fire & Rescue
Again with the snow?
February 26, 2009
New Feb. 26 7:53 a.m.
A small storm hit the Puget sound region last night, but tempretures should rise into the 40′s this afternoon.
There are no reports of major problems on the roadways, but there are some traffic back-ups.
Both the Issaquah and Lake Washington school districts are opening with a two-hour delay.
Snowstorm costs a bundle
January 5, 2009
The snow may be gone, but the sludge remains.
Sammamish gets salty
December 29, 2008
City uses salt sparingly when roads are slick
Trucks on 228th Avenue did not use salt, according to city officials. Photo by J.B. Wogan
Unlike Seattle, salt has been used to treat snowy streets in Sammamish.
The city of Seattle’s policy of using sand instead of salt, a measure officials say is to protect Puget Sound, has gained national scrutiny in recent weeks, with some experts questioning the rationale.
In Sammamish, Public Works Director John Cunningham said there were special circumstances when salt was the most effective and reasonable option in melting the snow and ice on the roads.
The city’s main north-south arterial, 228th Avenue, did not receive any salt.
“We try to use it very, very sparingly,” Cunningham said, citing the possible environmental impacts of salt concentrations on Sammamish’s lakes. The salt is also corrosive to cars, he said.
When salt is used, it’s part of a saltwater solution, Cunningham explained.
If a steep hill has compacted snow and ice, the trucks will lay down the saltwater. The same situation calls for steel blades — instead of rubber blades — on the fronts of the snow plows. Those blades can damage the asphalt and pop off the reflective lane markers on roads, but they are better for scooping up the ice than the rubber ones, he said.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To coment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
Melting snow could mean flooding problems
December 26, 2008
The National Weather Service has declared a flood watch for much of Western Washington as temperatures continue to rise and a storm front brings rain to the region. Experts warn of the potential for urban flooding. Residents should work to clear storm drains in their neighborhoods.
The forecast calls for rain and snow, with less than one inch of new snow during the day, and none at night.
The city of Sammamish reports that trash drop off which had been scheduled for some residents has been cancelled, while others may get pick-up tomorrow.
Snow problems, yet again
December 24, 2008
New Dec. 24, 10:53 a.m.
Winter weater is once again snarling traffic in the region and on the plateau. The city of Sammamish reports that snow is causing slippery conditions in the city. Use caution when navigating city streets.
The National Weather Service has declared a Winter Weather Advisory until 4 p.m. Dec. 24.
In Sammamish, snow is predicted to give way to rain this afternoon, changing back into snow after 10 p.m. There is a possiblity of less than one inch of new snow tonight.
Tomorrow, snow and rain are expected to trade off, with showers of both kinds of precipitation throughout the day. By Friday, tempratures are expected to climb into the 40s and remain above freezing even at night. Coupled with the predicted rain, this will likely melt much of the snow, although flooding will become a potential hazard.
Freak snowstorm blankets Sammamish
December 22, 2008
Mist clings to Beaver Lake as ice forms the morning of Dec. 20. Photo by Christopher Huber
Curt Beach, co-owner of the Sammamish Highlands 76, has seen his store stripped of its products: cable chains, windshield wiper fluid, propane tanks, antifreeze, and even beer and cigarettes are vanishing from his shelves.
More than a half-foot of snow fell Dec. 17-22, shrouding side streets in white powder and leaving the main arterials caked in ice. Panicked residents rushed to local gas stations and grocery stores to prepare for the snow. Read more
Sammamish largely OK, more weather coming
December 21, 2008
New – Dec. 21, 7:56 p.m.
Puget Sound Energy reported no outages in Sammamish after a storm with forecasted high winds and deep snow blew through Western Washington Dec. 20.
While the worst seems to be over, more winter weather is on its way, and the National Weather Service forecast calls for 2 to 4 inches of snow to fall this evening. Monday is expected to be generally clear, but another half-inch may fall during the day. But don’t breathe easy yet, the frecast is calling for still more snow Tuesday night and Wednesday, it may warm up enough to turn all of this into rain.
The National Weather Service and has declared a Winter Storm warning until 4 a.m. Dec. 22.
The city of Sammamish reports that major arterial roads are functioning, although side streets can still be dicey. Use caution navigating the city.
Metro bus service around the region is disrupted, to say the least. Go to Metro’s web site to find information about which bus routes are operating and how frequently.
