>>> SO GOOD MORNING.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR
COMING AND I KNOW IT'S STARTING
TO FEEL A LITTLE LIKE
GROUNDHOG'S DAY.
YOU HAVE BEEN HERE.
WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE ONE MORE
SYSTEM COMING THROUGH.
WE WILL HAVE SNOW?
SEATTLE FOR THE NEXT -- IN
SEATTLE FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL
HOURS BUT THE LATHEST FORECAST
IS THAT SNOW WILL RETURN TO
RAIN SOMETIME AROUND THE
EVENING COMMUTE OR AFTER THAT.
IT'S STILL PRESENTING VERY
DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS
FOR THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE AND
THE REGION.
VERY PLEASED TODAY TO BE JOINED
HERE BY GOVERNOR INSLEE AND
EXECUTIVE CONSTANTINE AS WELL
AS A NUMBER OF OF THE
TEAMMATING WHO HAVE BEEN
PROVIDING SUPPORT WARRANT THE
CLOCK.
I WANT TO THANK FIRST THE
PEOPLE FROM SEATTLE AND AROUND
THE REGION FOR DOING THEIR
PART.
WE SAW A WEEKEND WITH VERY FEW
INCIDENTS AND PEOPLE WERE
HELPING NEIGHBORS.
STAYING OFF THE ROADS.
AND BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF OUR
NAVIGATION TEAM AND OUR FRONT
LINE SERVICE PROVIDERS, WE ARE
ABLE TO BRING HUNDREDS OF MORE
PEOPLE INSIDE OUT OF THE COLD.
WHO WERE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
WE WILL CONTINUE THAT OUTREACH.
WE'RE OPENING ADDITIONAL SHORT-
TERM SHELTERS AND FOCUSING ON
GETTING PEOPLE FOOD AND OTHER
SUPPLIES AS WELL.
DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE IN
SEATTLE AND IN THE REGION, YOU
WILL GET STILL MORE SNOW
BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN IT CHANGES
TO RAIN.
AND DEPENDING ON HOW THE
CONVERGENCE ZONE HAPPENS, SOME
AREAS AND DEFEND ORANGE THEIR
HEIGHT WILL CONTINUE TO GET --
DEPENDING ON THEIR HEIGHT WILL
CONTINUE TO GET SNOW.
WHET IT RETURNS TO RAIN IT WILL
STILL PRESENT A GREAT DEAL OF
HAZARD FOR OUR ROADS.
THE CURRENT SNOW AND ICE IS
COMPACTED AND IT AND TURN THE
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS INTO ICE.
AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK
EVERYBODY FOR DOING WHAT
THEY'VE DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE TAKING CARE OF OUR
NEIGHBORS AND THE PEOPLE WHO
CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
AND THAT WE'RE DOING WHAT WE
NEEDED TO DO TO STAY OFF THE
STREETS.
PLEASE STAY SAFE.
YOU WILL HEAR NOW FROM THE
GOVERNOR NEXT AND THEN
EXECUTIVE CONSTANTINE AND THEN
UPDATES FROM EACH OF THE CITY
DEPARTMENTS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR THE
MAYOR'S LEADERSHIP AND THE
EXECUTIVES BUT I WANT TO NOTE
THE REAL LEADERS HERE HAVE BEEN
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON.
THEY HAVE RESPONDED WITH GREAT
CAUTION AND GREAT
RESPONSIBILITY.
BY ESSENTIALLY NOT DRIVING WHEN
NOT NECESSARY, THIS HAS BEEN
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING
THAT WE CAN DO.
AND WASHINGTONIANS HAVE BEEN
DOING THAT.
OUR TRAFFIC VOLUMES ARE DOWN
ABOUT 50% OR 70% AND THAT MEANS
LESS PEOPLE GETTING HURT.
AND SO I WANT TO THANK THE
PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON AND
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY WHAT
THEY'RE DOING TO BE SAFE.
THOSE ARE THE SINGLE MOST
IMPORTANT ACTS OF LEADERSHIP
AND WE'VE HAD IT ACROSS THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
SO THIS IS A BIG THANKS TO
PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON.
BUT SECOND I WANT TO THANK THE
CREWS OF ALL THESE AGENCIES
THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING FROM THE
STATE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION.
THEY ARE NOW WORKING REALLY
LONG HOURS.
WE'RE ASKING THEM TO DO A LOT
MORE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.
SAME WITH THE STATE PATROL AND
OUR MANY, MANY CITY AGENCIES.
POLICE AND FIRE AND
TRANSPORTATION.
LET'S HELP THEM GET THROUGH THE
WEEK SAFELY BY DOING OUR PART
TO REDUCE RISK.
LET'S GIVE THESE PLOWS MORE
ROOM.
BUT WHEN YOU SEE THE FLASHING
LIGHTS WE ALREADY HAD TWO STATE
TROOPERS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUCK.
SO LET'S GIVE THEM AN ADDED
MEASURE OF SPACE IN THE NEXT
FEW DAYS.
THE THIRD MESSAGE IS THAT WE
ARE NOT DONE WITH THIS.
AND FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE
CAUTION IS GOING TO BE THE
ORDER FOR ALL OF US.
REALLY, REALLY WELL TOGETHER.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SHARING THEIR
SHOVELS TO GET SIDEWALKS
CLEARED.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HELPING THEIR
ELDERLY NEIGHBORS, PEOPLE HAVE
BEEN REDUCING THEIR TRAFFIC.
WE JUST NEED TO KEEP THAT UP
FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.
ONE JUST -- ONE ADDED
ANNOUNCEMENT.
WE ARE AMENDING AN EMERGENCY
DECLARATION TO MAKE SURE WE CAN
GET DE-ICING AGENCIES -- AGENTS
TO OUR AIRPORTS.
WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT DONE IN
THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS TO
KEEP THAT GOING.
LET'S BE SAFE.
THANKS.
DALE CONSTANTINE.
>> THANK YOU GOVERNOR, MAYOR.
WE ARE CONTINUING AT KING
COUNTY TO MANAGE THE WINTER
STORMS TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO
METRO BUS SERVICE.
TO OUR EMERGENCY SHELTERS.
AND TO SNOW REMOVAL ON
UNINCORPORATED ROADS INCLUDING
HUNDREDS OF MILES OF RURAL
ROADS.
THIS MORNING, BEFORE I GOT HERE
I VISITED WITH SOME OF THE
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE STAFF AT
KING COUNTY METRO.
WHO ARE BUSY NOT ONLY CHAINING
UP THE COACHES THAT ARE HEADED
OUT, BUT REPAIRING HUNDREDS.
WELL OVER 300 VEHICLES THAT
HAVE BEEN DAMAGED.
AND WE NEED TO GET BACK IN GOOD
REPAIR TO GET BACK TO FULL
SERVICE WHEN THE SNOW IS GONE.
I ALSO VISITED WITH THE STAFF
AT OUR FACILITIES' DECISION WHO
ARE KEEPING -- DIVISION WHO ARE
KEEPING OVER 40 COUNTY
FACILITIES IN THE COUNTY UP AND
RUNNING.
THEY HAVE WORKED NOW FOR EIGHT
DAYS STRAIGHT.
MANY OF THEM HAVE SPENT NIGHTS
IN A ROW AWAY FROM THEIR
FAMILIES BECAUSE OF COURSE THIS
IS A VAST GEOGRAPHY.
SO THEY'RE DEPLOYED NOT JUST IN
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE, BUT FROM
SKYKOMISH TO SNOQUALMIE TO THE
KENT VALLEY AND WE ARE VERY
PLEASED WITH THE WORK THEY HAVE
DONE.
KEEPING US IN BUSINESS.
KING COUNTY IS OPEN FOR
BUSINESS TODAY.
KING CARBON DIOXIDE CONTINUES
TO OPERATE -- COUNTY CONTINUES
TO OPERATE -- METRO KING COUNTY
CONTINUES TO OPERATE ROUTES ON
EMERGENCY SNOW NETWORK.
I TALKED ABOUT THAT LAST TIME
WE WERE TOGETHER.
IT PROVIDES SERVICE ON 67 HIGH
RIDERSHIP ROUTES AND SHUTTLES
WHERE CITIES AND THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
HAVE PRIORITIZED SNOW REMOVAL.
THIS IS A SYSTEM THAT WE PUT
TOGETHER MANY YEARS AGO TO MAKE
SURE THAT EVEN IN AN EVENT LIKE
THIS, WE COULD HAVE RELIABLE
TRANSPORTATION.
WE SHIFTED TO THE NETWORK ON
SATURDAY.
AND WE CONTINUE THE USE OF THE
EMERGENCY SNOW NETWORK THROUGH
TOMORROW AS YOU CAN SEE.
THE SNOWING RIGHT NOW.
THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY
ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT 12 TO 18
HOURS HOLDS.
BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND THAT
WHEN THEY COME TO GET A BUS,
THAT IT IS ON A RELIABLE ROUTE
THAT IS NOT GOING TO GET STUCK.
IT'S GOING TO GET THEM WHERE
THEY NEED TO GO.
AFTER TOMORROW, OR TOMORROW
MORNING, I'M GOING TO MAKE A
DECISION ABOUT WEDNESDAY.
I'LL MAKE THAT BASED ON ADVICE
FROM MANY FOLKS INCLUDING MOST
OF ALL ROB GANNON THE GENERAL
MANAGER OF METRO.
ABOUT OUR LEVEL OF SERVICE ON
WEDNESDAY.
OUR GOAL IS TO OFFER SAFE,
RELIABLE METRO SERVICE NOW BUT
ALSO TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE OUR
FLEET AND OUR EMPLOYEES SO WE
CAN GET BACK TO FULL SERVICE AS
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
WHEN THE WEATHER ALLOWS.
IF WE HAVE SNOW ACCUMULATION
TONIGHT AND EARLY TOMORROW, THE
EMERGENCY SNOW NETWORK WILL
ALLOW US TO CONTINUE SERVICE ON
THE MAIN ARTERIALS THAT REMAIN
CLEAR AND EVEN IF WE HAVE RAIN
TONIGHT, METRO IS GOING TO USE
THAT OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH UP ON
REPAIRING ALL OF THOSE COACHES
THAT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING
THE STORM.
AS YOU IMAGINE, IT HAS BEEN A
DIFFICULT WEEK FOR OPERATORS
AND MECHANICS.
FOLKS HAVE BEEN WORKING MANY,
MANY HOURS.
AND ANYONE WHO'S TRIED TO PUT
CHAINS ON A CAR KNOWS IT'S NOT
EASY.
TRY DOING THAT ON A 22-TON BUS.
NOT UP ON A HOIST IN THE -- IN
THE GARAGE.
BUT OUT ON THE STREETS OF THIS
COUNTY.
IT IS A TOUGH JOB.
AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK
FOLKS HAVE DONE.
I WANT TO THANK OUR RIDERS WHO
HAVE BEEN PATIENT.
AND HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR
SUPPORT AND TO THOSE IN METRO
WHO HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND,
THANK YOU FOR KEEPING UP THAT
PACE A LITTLE LONGER.
ON SHELTERS, WE HAVE OVER 300
BEDS IN DOWNTOWN CORE RIGHT
NOW.
BUT 200 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TAKING
ADVANTAGE OF THOSE AT
HARBORVIEW HALL AND FOURTH AND
úJEFFERSON.
AND THE KING COUNTY
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING OVER
THE LAST FEW NIGHTS.
WE HAVE A DAY CENTER FOURTH AND
JEFFERSON AND OVERFLOW CENTER
IN THE KING COUNTY
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.
MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE SPENT TIME
AT THE JEFFERSON CENTER
YESTERDAY.
AND 82 OTHERS AT ADMINISTRATION
BIDDING.
WE'RE GLAD TO OFFER THEM A CUP
OF COFFEE AND SOME
COMPANIONSHIP AND SHELTER FROM
THE STORM.
VISITED WITH THEM YESTERDAY
AFTERNOON AND I WANT TO
APPRECIATE ALL OF THESE FROM
THE SALVATION ARMY THE URBAN
LEAGUE AND CITY OF SEATTLE AND
OTHERS.
WHO ARE HELPING US KEEP FOLKS
SAFE DURING THIS STORM.
AS ALWAYS, IF YOU NEED
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEAREST
SHELTER, IF YOU SEE SOMEBODY
WHO NEEDS HELP PLEASE CALL 211.
FINALLY IN THE UNINCORPORATED
AREA, OUTSIDE OF OUR 39 CITIES,
THE ROADS' CREWS ARE WORKING 24
HOURS A DAY.
TWO 12 HOUR SHIFTS.
CLEARING SNOW AND ICE FROM MAIN
ARTERIALS.
WE HAVE 28 TRUCKS CONFIGURED
FOR SNOW REMOVAL.
AND ROADS' CREWS HAVE NOWED
ABOUT 8,000 -- PLOWED ABOUT
8700 LANE MILES.
MOST OF THE MAJOR ROADWAYS ARE
OPEN THIS MORNING AND I AM
RIGHT NOW AS SOON AS WE LEAVE
ON MY WAY TO OUR EMERGENCY
OPERATIONS CENTER, WHICH IS ON
THE HILL ABOVE RENTON TO CHECK
UP ON HOW WE'RE DOING AS THIS
NEXT SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH.
THANKS.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M PETER ROGOFF.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF SOUND
TRANSIT.
JUST WANT TO ASSURE THE PEOPLE
OF THE REGION LINK LIGHTRAIL
CONTINUES TO RUN REALLY WITHOUT
A HICCUP AND WE FIELDED A
COMPLETE SWEEP FOR SOUNDER
COMMUTER RAIL THIS MORNING
COMING DOWN FROM EVERETT AND
NORTH FROM LAKEWOOD AND TACOMA.
IF YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF USING
LINK LIGHTRAIL OR SOUNDER
COMMUTER RAIL, THESE ARE YOUR
SAFEST OPTIONS FOR GETTING
AROUND THE REGION.
EVEN FOR THOSE THAT HAVE TO USE
THE ROADWAYS, WHATEVER BUS
PROVIDER, SOUND TRANSIT EXPRESS
BUS AND KING COUNTY METRO AND
COMMUNITY TRANSIT AND PIERCE
TRANSIT, THESE ARE THE SAFEST
OPTIONS FOR OPERATING ON THE
HIGHWAY SYSTEM.
AND WE HAVE ALL OF US, TRANSIT
PROVIDERS ACROSS THE REGION.
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN
SERVICE WITH VERY GOOD
RELIABILITY.
WE OWE A GREAT DEAL OF
GRATITUDE TO THE MECHANICS AND
THE OPERATORS WHO ARE WORKING
EXTRA HOURS TO MAKE THAT
POSSIBLE.
IF ANYTHING, OUR ONLY CHALLENGE
IS MAKING SURE THAT OPERATORS
CAN GET TO THE PLACE OF WORK
BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN LOCAL
WEATHER CONDITIONS.
WE DID HAVE SOME HICCUPS THIS
MORNING BRINGING SOME BUSES UP
FROM PIERCE AND OTHER BUSES
THAT ARE -- DEPLOYED TEN
MINUTES LATER.
HAD TO BE USED BECAUSE OF A
LACK OF OPERATORS.
KITSAP FERRY SERVICE THIS
MORNING DID HAVE TO SUSPEND
SOME FERRY SERVICE BECAUSE
CREWS NOT BEING ABLE TO GET TO
THE DOCKS BUT EVERYONE IS IN
RECOVERY FROM THAT MODE.
SO AGAIN, YOUR SAFEST OPTIONS
ARE THE RAIL TRANSPORTATION AND
BUS TRANSPORTATION AND WE
REMAIN VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE
ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP
ALL OF THESE SERVICES RUNNING
FOR THE ENTIRE REGION IN THE
DAYS TO COME.
THANKS TO ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING.
SAM ZIMBABWE WITH THE SEATTLE
ADOPTION OF TRANSPORTATION.
WE -- DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION.
WE CONTINUE AS WELL TO WORK
AROUND THE CLOCK, TWO 12 HOUR
SHIFTS AND 24 HOURS A DAY.
ABOUT 35 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT
OUT THERE RIGHT NOW REMOVING
SNOW AND ICE.
OUR TOP PRIORITY REMAINS
ARTERIAL STREETS KEEPING TRAN
SMITHING AND KEEPING -- TRANSIT
MOVING AND KEEPING EMERGENCY
SERVICES MOVING.
PLEASE, AS YOU START -- AS IF
PEOPLE DO NEED TO DRIVE, BE
AWARE OF THE CONDITIONS.
THEY'RE CHANGING RAPIDLY.
WE HAD OUR HEAD OF SNOW
RESPONSE REAR ENDED LAX NIGHT
BY SOMEBODY WHO WAS SO EAGER TO
GET OUT THERE THAT THEY WENT
DOWN A HILL TOO FAST.
TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BE
CONTINUING -- WE STILL WANT
PEOPLE TO CLEAR THEIR SIDEWALKS
AND AJASEN'T TO RESIDENTS --
ADJACENT TO RESIDENCES
BUSINESSES AND HELP THOSE WHO
CAN'T DO THAT FOR THEMSELVES.
WORKING EVERYBODY TOGETHER.
WE'RE CONTINUING TO DO CURB
RAMPS AND MAKING SURE THAT
SIDEWALKS ARE ACCESSIBLE AT THE
INTERSECTIONS ESPECIALLY.
AND THEN WE'RE MOVING ON
ESPECIALLY WITH THE HELP OF
SEATTLE PARKS TO START CLEARING
THE PROTECTED BIKE LANES AROUND
THE CITY.
TREE CREWS ARE ON STANDBY AS WE
START TO HAVE TREE ISSUES.
IF YOU SEE ANY DOWNED TREES,
206-684-ROAD OR THE FIND IT FIX
IT APP AND JUST TO REINFORCE IF
YOU CAN AVOID DRIVING PLEASE DO
SO.
AND IF YOU DO NEED TO DRIVE,
TAKE EXTRA CAUTION AND MAKE
SURE YOU GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO
STOP.
PEDESTRIANS, MAKE SURE THAT YOU
ARE AWARE OF DRIVERS COMING.
THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO STOP
AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN TOO.
PLEASE STAY SAFE OUT THERE
EVERYBODY.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS JASON JOHNSON.
I'M WITH THE HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT HERE AT THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
OUR PRIMARY WORK AND MY MAIN
MESSAGE REMAINS FOCUSED ON
PEOPLE LIVING UNSHELTERED IN
OUR CITY.
WE WANT TO SEE AS MANY PEOPLE
GET INDOORS AS POSSIBLE.
THE -- LOW TEMPERATURES AND
SNOW ACCUMULATION MAKE FOR VERY
DANGEROUS CONDITIONS.
AND AGAIN, WE ENCOURAGE
EVERYONE TO COME INDOORS.
WE HAVE OPENED SEVERE WEATHER
SHELTERS FOR THIS PURPOSE.
AND THERE IS CAPACITY.
THERE IS SEVERAL SHELTERS THAT
WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO OPEN AND WE
HAVE OUR NAVIGATION TEAM
DEPLOYED.
THEY ARE COMBING THE STREETS OF
SEATTLE, WORKING TO GET EVERY
INDIVIDUAL, WHETHER THEY ARE
OUT IN OUR DAY CENTERS OR IF
THEY FIND THEM SLEEPING OUT ON
THE SIDEWALKS, TO A INDOOR
SHELTER.
SO JUST AS A REMINDER, THOSE
SHELTERS THAT WE'VE HAD
ACTIVATED THROUGH THE WEEKEND
AND WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT, ARE
THE SEATTLE CENTER EXHIBITION
HALL, THAT'S ON MERCER.
WE HAVE BOTH THE KING COUNTY
ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING AND
KING COUNTY BUILDING AT FOURTH
AND JEFFERSON.
CITY HALL SHELTERS REMAIN OPEN.
MARY'S PLACE HAS EXPANDED
SHELTER CAPACITY FOR FAMILIES.
COMMUNITY CENTER ON 23rd AND
CHERRY.
WE ARE ALSO OPENING ADDITIONAL
SHELTER BEDS STARTING TONIGHT
AT THE BITTER LAKE COMMUNITY
CENTER.
THAT IS AN ADDITIONAL SHELTER
THAT ADDS 150 BEDS TO THE
HUNDREDS OF BEDS WE'VE BEEN
ABLE TO OPEN DURING THIS STORM.
AGAIN, MY MESSAGE IS PLEASE GO
INSIDE.
YOU CAN DIAL 211, CALL THE
CRISIS CLINIC FOR A FULL LIST.
WITH HOURS AND ADDRESSES OF ANY
OF OUR OVERNIGHT OR DAYTIME
SHELTERS.
LIKEWISE, THE DEPARTMENT IS
WORKING WITH OTHER VULNERABLE
POPULATIONS.
WE HAVE CALLS GOING OUT ACROSS
THE COUNTY TO ENSURE THAT HOME
BOUND SENIORS OR PEOPLE LIVING
WITH DISABILITIES HAVE THE CARE
THEY NEED.
HAVE FIVE DAYS OF FOOD AND HAVE
ACCESS TO THEIR MEDICATIONS AND
HAVE ACCESS TO THE MEDICAL
SERVICES THAT THEY NEED.
MOST OF OUR SENIOR CENTERS ARE
CLOSED TODAY.
AND RELATED PROGRAMMING
INCLUDING CONGREGATE MEALS ARE
ALSO NOT OPERATING TODAY.
THAT SAID, THERE IS A MEAL
PROGRAM AT THE PIKE MARKET
SENIOR CENTER.
THERE IS LIMITED DELIVERY FROM
MEALS ON WHEELS THROUGH SOUND
GENERATIONS.
LIKEWISE, LIFELONG CHICKEN SOUP
BRIGADE IS ALSO DOING THEIR
HOME DELIVERY TODAY.
THEY HAVE LIMITED NUMBER OF
VOLUNTEERS AVAILABLE TO MAKE
THOSE DELIVERIES BUT THEY'RE
OUT MAKING THOSE CRITICAL MEAL
DELIVERIES.
FOR A FULL LIST OF MEAL SITES
AND FOOD BANKS THAT ARE OPEN,
FOOD ACCESS, AGAIN, PLEASE DIAL
211 AND ACCESS THE CRISIS
CLINIC.
THANK YOU.
>> I THINK WSDOT WE SKIPPED
OVER YOU, DID WE?
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS
CHRIS JOHNSON.
I'M THE MAINTENANCE AND
OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR THE
WASHINGTON STATE D.O.T..
FIRST OFF THANK THE
TRANSPORTATION PARTNERS FOR
WORKING WITH US THROUGH THIS
VENT.
THAT STARTS WITH THE TRAVELING
PUBLIC.
WE COULDN'T DO THE THIS WITHOUT
YOUR SUPPORT IN MODIFYING YOUR
TRAVEL HABITS AND ARE YOU
TEENS.
FOR THE STATE PATROL, FOR
WORKING WITH US, ADDRESSING
DISABLED MOTORISTS OUT ON THE
ROADWAYS.
FOR THE CITIES AND THE COUNTIES
AND THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING
WITH THEM AS WELL.
JUST THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR
WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
MOST OF ALL THANK YOU TO MY OWN
PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT THERE
WORKING 24 HOURS A DAY RIGHT
NOW TO TRY TO KEEP THE ROADWAYS
CLEAR.
SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE
PRIORITY.
IT'S THE GOVERNOR'S SAID, THANK
YOU FOR GIVING OUR PLOWS ROOM
TO DO THEIR WORK.
THEY'RE OUT THERE TRYING TO GET
THE ROADS PASSABLE FOR YOU.
WE'VE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS
WHERE PEOPLE THINK THAT THE
BEST PACE FOR THEM IS IN --
PLACE FOR THEM IS IN FRONT OF
THE PLOW.
THE BEST PLACE FOR YOU IS
BEHIND THE PLOW.
LET OUR CREWS DO THE WORK TO
GET THE ROADS OPEN.
OUR GUYS ARE STARTING TO GET
TIRED.
WE'RE TAKING THAT INTO
CONSIDERATION AS WE'RE GIVING
THEM SCHEDULED TIME OFF.
AGAIN, THEY'RE ALL OUT IS THERE
TRYING TO DO THEIR VERY, VERY
BEST.
WE'RE NOT THROUGH YET.
WEATHER IS GOING TO BE COMING
IN AGAIN THE WEEK.
PLEASE BE PREPARED TO DRIVE IF
YOU DO NEED TO GO OUT AND
PLEASE GIVE OUR PEOPLE THE ROOM
THEY NEED TO TO GET THE JOB
DONE.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M DEBRA SMITH WITH SEATTLE
CITY LIGHT.
AND WE'VE HAD -- THIS CONTINUES
TO BE A WEATHER EVENT THAT'S
BEEN VERY KIND TO SEATTLE CITY
LIGHT.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE A TOTAL OF 40
CUSTOMERS OUT.
OUR CITY -- OUR EMERGENCY
OPERATIONS CENTER HAS BEEN
ACTIVE ALL WEEKEND.
AND WITH -- AND HAVE HAD
REGULAR CALLS.
AND WE WANT TO JUST APPRECIATE
OUR CUSTOMERS AND THE
COURTESIES THEY'VE SHOWN US AND
THE PATIENCE THAT THEY'VE
DEMONSTRATED.
SO FREEZING RAIN IS ALWAYS A
CONCERN.
WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL GET
THROUGH NEXT 24 HOURS WITHOUT
ANY DAMAGING ICE.
WE'LL BE MONITORING THIS
SITUATION CAREFULLY.
AND ADVISE CUSTOMERS TO DO THE
SAME.
OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY
CONTINUES TO BE THE SAFETY OF
OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR
EMPLOYEES.
SO PLEASE GIVE A WIDE BERTH TO
DOWNED POWER LINES.
ASSUME THEY'RE ENERGIZED.
AND GIVE US A CALL.
OUR CUSTOMER CONTACT CENTER IS
STAFFED WILL REMAIN OPEN AS
LONG AS CONDITIONS REQUIRE.
AND THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO TAKE
YOUR CALL AND I GUESS THE
MESSAGE TO GIVE YOU IS THAT
YOUR COMMUNITY OWNED UTILITY IS
OPEN FOR BUSINESS TODAY.
>> GOOD MORNING.
SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES.
GARBAGE, RECYCLING, FOOD AND
YARD WASTE COLLECTION IS
DEPENDENT ON SAFE ROAD AND
WEATHER CONDITIONS.
OVER THE PAST WEEK WINTER
STORMS REALLY CHALLENGED OUR
CREWS, WE THANK THE RESIDENTS
OF SEATTLE FOR THEIR PATIENCE
AS WE WAIT FOR THE NEXT SAFE
COLLECTION WINDOW.
DESPITE THE SNOW AND ICE, OVER
THE PAST FEW DAYS CONTRACTORS
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CATCH UP ON
MUCH OF THE DELAYED COMMERCIAL
AND MULTIAL COLLECTIONS FROM
EARLIER IN THE WEEK.
YESTERDAY CREWS MADE PICKUPS AT
URGENT SITES LIKE HOSPITALS AS
WELL AS BAGGED ALLEY WASTE.
BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUED SNOW
SNOW AND ICE ON RESIDENTIAL
STREETS, CREWS ARE UNABLE TO
COLLECT GARBAGE, RECYCLING AND
YARD WASTE TODAY FROM OUR
MONDAY CUSTOMERS.
IF CONDITIONS IMPROVE, WE'LL
ATTEMPT TO COLLECT THEIR WASTE
TOMORROW.
AND WE WILL -- BUT IF ICY
CONDITIONS PERSIST, WE WILL AIM
TO PRIORITIZE THOSE MONDAY
CUSTOMERS.
AND COLLECT THEIR GARBAGE AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE.
OUR NORTH AND SOUTH TRANSFER
STATIONS ARE OPEN TODAY AND OUR
STAFF ARE READY TO COLLECT AND
RECEIVE GARBAGE, RECYCLING AND
YARD AND FOOD WASTE DROPOFFS.
WE WILL PROVIDE THE LATEST
UPDATES ABOUT SOLID WASTE
COLLECTIONS ON OUR WEBSITE.
ON TWITTER @SEATTLESPUS AND ON
ALERT SEATTLE.
BECAUSE OF THE FREEZING
TEMPERATURES, SOME OF OUR
CUSTOMERS MAY HAVE FROZEN
PIPES.
AND WE WANT TO REMIND CUSTOMERS
NOT TO USE BLOW TORCHES,
KEROSENE OR PROPANE HEATERS OR
OTHER OPEN FLAME DEVICES ON
THEIR PIPES.
THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
WE HAVE TIPS ABOUT THAWING
PIPES AS WELL AS PROTECTING
THEM FROM FREEZING ON OUR
WEBSITE AT SEATTLE.GOV/UTIL.
FINALLY, SPU IS KEEPING A CLOSE
EYE ON THE FORECAST AND
MONITORING CONDITIONS FOR ANY
POSSIBLE STREET FLOODING.
IF TEMPERATURES START TO RISE
AND ICED OVER DRAIN INLETS
PREVENT MELTED SNOW AND RAIN
FROM DRAINING, THE CHANCE OF
INCIDENTS INCREASE SIGNIFICANT
LIT.
IF YOU CAN ASSIST BY CLEARING A
DRAIN INLET NEAR YOUR HOME.
YOU CAN HELP PREVENT LOCALIZED
FLOODING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M HAROLD SCOGGINS.
FIRE CHIEF.
I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MY
PEERS ALL AROUND KING COUNTY.
IS THAT WE'RE OUT THERE
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY IN ANY
WAY THAT WE CAN.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ASK
FOR YOUR AWARENESS AND SO MANY
DIFFERENT AREAS AS YOU ARE
WALKING DOWN THE STREET OR
DRIVING.
GIVE YOURSELF A LITTLE MORE
ROOM TO STOP BECAUSE THE CARS
ARE SLIDING AROUND THE STREETS.
IF YOU ARE WALKING AND TEXTING,
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION BEFORE YOU
WALK OUT INTO THAT CROSSWALK
KNOWING THAT CARS ARE SLIDING A
BIT.
YOUR CARBON MONOXIDE AND SMOKE
DETECTORS, LET'S CONTINUE TO
MAKE SURE THEY WORK AND PLEASE
DO NOT BRING THOSE DEVICES
INSIDE TO HEAT YOUR HOMES.
OR WHEREVER IT IS YOU ARE
STAYING THAT AREN'T DESIGNED TO
WORK INSIDE THE HOME.
ALSO, AS WE SEE THE ICE BUILDS
UP AND THE SNOW STARTS TO MELT,
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE
YOU ARE WALKING AS YOU DON'T
WANT THE HEAVILY WEIGHTED SNOW
OR THE ICE COMING DOWN THAT AND
CAUSE YOU INJURY.
WE ARE SEEING OUR CALLS COMING
IN AT LOWER VOLUME.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF EACH AND
EVERY ONE OF YOU.
WE BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE PAYING
ATTENTION.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE HAVING SUCCESS
RIGHT NOW.
SO I WANT TO THANK THE MEN AND
WOMEN OF THE SEATTLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT AND ALL THE FIRE
DEPARTMENTS IN THE REGION AS
WELL AS ALL OF OUR PARTNERS FOR
WORKING CLOSELY TO MAKE SURE
THAT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE
SAFE.
THANK YOU.
>> I'M MARK G ARDH.
I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
AND CIVILIAN AND SWORN MEN AND
WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR
THEIR PROFESSIONALISM AND
DEDICATION DURING SNOWY TIME.
POLICE DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUING
TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCY CALLS.
ONE OF THE CHIEF'S BEST
PRIORITIES IS THAT PATROL
OFFICERS KEEP CHECKING ON OUR
UNSETTERED NEIGHBORS.
TO THAT END WE HAVE VANS IN
COOPERATION WITH HUMAN SERVICES
THAT ARE OUT PICKING FOLKS UP
AND MOVING THEM TO THE SHELTERS
AS WELL AS OUR PATROL OFFICERS
ARE TRANSPORTING PEOPLE AS WE
GO ALONG AS WELL.
WE ASK THAT YOU DO REMAIN
VIGILANT.
I KNOW IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING
CLEARER AND IT SEEMS TO BE
GETTING A LITTLE WARMER BLUE
THAT TIME WHERE WE THINK THE
ROADS LOOK A LITTLE BETTER
THEY'RE ACTUALLY NOT.
PLEASE OBSERVE THE STREET
CLOSED SIGNS AND GIVE EMERGENCY
VEHICLES AND OUR MAINTENANCE
VEHICLES A LITTLE WIDER BERTH.
GIVE THEM A LITTLE MORE SPACE
TO WORK AND TO DO THEIR JOBS
THERE.
CONTINUE TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT
SLEDDING ON HAVE STREETS AND
WE'RE NOT -- THE STREETS AND
WE'RE NOT BUMPING INTO CARS.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO CALL 911 AND
211 FOR ANY FOLKS THAT YOU
BELIEVE NEED ANY ASSISTANCE OUT
THERE.
AND THANK YOU.
>> STATE PATROL JOINED US AS
WELL.
IF YOU WANT THE CHIEF COME TO
THE PODIUM.
AND SEATTLE, WE HAD OUR FISH
TRUCK THIS MORNING.
THEY HAD THEIR CHICKEN TRUCK.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> THANK YOU MAYOR, GOOD
MORNING EVERYONE.
ON BEHALF OF YOUR HARD WORKING
TROOPERS I WANT TO EXTEND THE
THANKS TO THE PUBLIC.
HERE IN THE GREATER SEATTLE
AREA WE RESPONDED TO HUNDREDS
OF COLLISIONS ACROSS THE STATE
WE RESPONDED TO OVER 3,000
COLLISIONS.
WE HAD TWO TROOPERS HIT AS THE
GOVERNOR MENTIONED EARLIER:
ONE YESTERDAY IN SPOKANE AND
ONE HERE IN SEATTLE.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE WIDE
BERTH THAT THE CITIZENS GIVE
OUR TROOPERS.
EACH ONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS AS
AN -- IN TERMS OF RISK AS WELL
AS TO YOURSELF AS THE PUBLIC.
WE ASK THAT YOU SLOW DOWN AND
PLEASE MOVE OVER WHEN AND WHERE
YOU CAN.
PLACE GREATER DISTANCES BETWEEN
YOURSELF AND THE VEHICLE IN
FRONT OF YOU AND BE VERY
COGNIZANT AT ALL TIMES.
PLEASE PUT THE PHONES DOWN AND
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DRIVING
AND FOR GOD'S SAKE PLEASE DON'T
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
ONE OF MY TROOPERS WHO WAS
STRUCK IN SPOKANE WAS STRUCK BY
AN INDIVIDUAL DRIVING UNDER THE
INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.
PLEASE BE SAFE AND THE TROOPERS
ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN
TO KEEP US SAFE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO OUR
PARTNERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
ACROSS THIS GREAT STATE OF OURS
WHO ARE GIVING THEIR ALL TO
U.S. CITIZENS AND THANK YOU FOR
GIVING THEM THAT COURTESY AND
THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR
DUTIES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> GOVERNOR, MAYOR, EXECUTIVE.
MY NAME IS CALVIN GOINGS, I'M
THE DIRECTOR OF CITY FINANCE
AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
THREE AREAS SINCE THE
ACTIVATION.
FIRST IN THE FLEET SERVICES OUR
CHARLES STREET AND HOLLER LAKE
FACILITIES ARE OPERATING 24/7
BASIS TO SUPPORT SDOT'S ONGOING
SERVICES.
TO DATE WE'VE REPAIRED OVER 85
VEHICLES AND TEN VEHICLES ARE
STILL IN THE SHOP BUT WE'RE
OPTIMISTIC THEY WILL BE BACK ON
THE ROADS SHORTLY.
AND WE'RE OPEN RATING WITH A
FULL COMPLIMENT OF MECHANICS
AND SUPPORT STAFF AND I WANT TO
TAKE JUST A MOMENT TO THANK THE
FAS EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN
WORKING NONSTOP 12 HOUR SHIFTS
SINCE THIS WEATHER EVENT
OCCURRED.
ADDITIONALLY MAYOR WE ARE
MONITORING THE FUEL USAGE OF
THE CITY'S FLEET EVERY SIX
HOURS.
SECONDLY, IN FACILITY
OPERATIONS, OUR SECURITY,
JANITORIAL AND SUPPORT TEAMS
ARE ENGAGED IN ACTIVE DE-ICE
AND PLOW OPERATIONS ACROSS THE
VARIOUS FACILITIES IN THE CITY
AND OUR F AS GENERATORS AT ALL
57 SITES HAVE BEEN TOPPED OFF
WITH FUEL.
THIRD AND FINALLY, THE CITY
HALL CUSTOMER SERVICE BUREAU
AND THE LICENSING AND TREASURY
OFFICES AT THE MUNICIPAL TOWER
ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS WELL
BUT PLEASE CHECK THE CITY
WEBSITE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE
THE MOST UPDATE HOURS OF
OPERATION.
AND FINALLY WE WANT TO STRONGLY
ENCOURAGE CITY RESIDENTS AND
CITY OF SEATTLE EMPLOYEES TO
SIGN UP FOR THE ALERT SEATTLE
NOTIFICATION SYSTEM.
IN ORDER TO RECEIVE REALTIME
NOTICES OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
AND SERVICE IMPACTS.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS.
I'M WITH SEATTLE PARKS.
AND I WANT TO START OUT BY
THANKING THE HARD WORKING
EMPLOYEES OF THE SEATTLE PARK
AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
TODAY, ENOUGH EMPLOYEES SHOWED
UP TO STAFF 22 COMMUNITY
CENTERS AND FIVE PUBLIC
SWIMMING POOLS ACROSS THE
SYSTEM.
THAT'S GREAT WAY TO BEAT CABIN
FEVER AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO
TO THE WEBSITE AND LOG ON AND
FIND OUT THE OPERATING HOURS
FOR THOSE LOCATIONS NEAR YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE'VE ALSO STOOD UP TWO
EMERGENCY SHELTERS.
ONE AT GARFIELD COMMUNITY
CENTER LOCATED AT 2023 CHERRY
AVENUE.
AND THAT IS A 24 HOUR WARMING
SHELTER THAT'S BEEN OPERATING
SINCE LAST FRIDAY.
IT IS FULLY STAFFED AND WE'RE
SERVING HOT MEALS AND WE HAVE
CAPACITY FOR 138 INDIVIDUALS.
WHO ARE BEING KEPT WARM AND OUT
OF THE SNOW.
WE ARE STANDING UP TONIGHT A
SECOND WARMING SHELTER AT THE
BITTER LAKE COMMUNITY CENTER AT
130th AND LYNDEN STREET IN THE
NORTH END AND I WANT TO THANK
OUR PARTNERS AT SPU WHO HAVE
AGREED TO STAFF THAT FACILITY
AS WE RAMP UP.
WE ALSO HAVE A HUGE CONTINGENCY
OF MAINTENANCE STAFF WHO ARE
HELPING OUT WHEREVER THEY CAN.
YOU HEARD EARLIER CLEARING BIKE
LANES WHERE WE HAVE PARKS NEXT
TO BUS STOPSER THIS SHOVELING
THE -- THEY ARE SHOVELING THE
SIDEWALKS AND THEY ARE CLEARING
PARKING LOTSED LIBRARIES.
SO THE PUBLIC CAN HAVE ACCESS
TO THOSE AMENITIES AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN SALT
PARK AND RECREATION EMPLOYEE --
SEATTLE PARK AND RECREATION
EMPLOYEES.
THANKS MAYOR.
>> HELLO, ANDRES MONTILLW A THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS,
WITH THE WEATHER WE AS
NEIGHBORS NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR
EACH OTHER.
IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY WE
ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE CHECK
ON YOUR NEIGHBORS ESPECIALLY
THOSE THAT MAY NEED HELP SUCH
AS THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WHO
ARE DIFFERENTLY ABLED AND
FAMILIES OR THOSE WITH PETS.
HELP MAKE IT SAFER FOR YOUR
NEIGHBORS TO GET AROUND.
IF YOU ARE ABLE, TREAT OR
SHOVEL THE SNOW AND ICE FROM
YOUR SIDEWALKS AND PATHS.
WHILE YOU ARE AT IT, SHOVEL
YOUR NEIGHBOR'S AS WELL.
ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO NODE HELP.
OR -- NEED HELP.
OR SHARE YOUR SHOVEL WITH THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
IN FACT IF IT'S SAFE MAKE IT A
NEIGHBORHOOD LOCK PARTY.
REACH OUT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
AND THE NEIGHBORS AND INVITE
THEM TO HELP.
TO CLEAR THE SIDEWALKS, THE
PATHS AND AS HE ALSO MENTIONED
TO HELP CLEAR THE STORM DRAINS.
WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OUR
PARTNER AGENCIES SEATTLE
HOUSING AUTHORITY, ALSO THE
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
TO ELEVATE COMMUNITY CONCERNS,
BUSINESS DISTRICT CONCERNS AS
WELL AS TRANSLATING WITH OUR
PARTNER THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT
AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS INTO OTHER
LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH.
SO PLEASE THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONTINUED SUPPORT AND THANK YOU
FOR BEING GREAT NEIGHBORS.
>> GREAT, WE'LL TAKE A FEW
QUESTIONS AND I AGAIN WANT TO
SUM UP.
I CAN'T THANK THE WORKERS OF
NOT JUST THE CITY OF SALT BUT
ALL THE REGIONAL PARTNERS ON
TALL WORK THEY'VE DON WING --
ALL THE WORK THEY'RE BEEN
DOING.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY
LONG SHIFTS.
SOME OF THEM 12 HOURS SOME OF
THEM NOT GOING HOME AT ALL AND
THEIR FAMILIES HAVE BEEN
WEARING THE WEIGHT AS WELL.
I TALKED TO A ROAD CREW WHOSE
WIFE AND FOUR KIDS WERE SNOWED
IN WHILE HE WAS CLEARING THE
ROADS.
AND REALLY FOR ME PERSONALLY, I
WANT TO THANK THE PEOPLE OF
SEATTLE.
THEY HAVE STEPPED UP AGAIN.
AND AGAIN.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, MORE
PEOPLE REMAIN SAFE AND WE ARE
ABLE TO BRING MORE PEOPLE
INSIDE AND WITH THAT IF ANYONE
HAS ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE
GOVERNOR OR EXECUTIVE OR I.
>> GOVERNOR WE JUST HEARD ABOUT
THE HOUSE COLLAPSING IN SEQUIM
BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE HEAVY SNOW.
IS THERE ANY OPPORTUNITY TO
CALL IN THE NATIONAL GUARD
MAYBE OR JUST OTHER RESOURCES
IF IT DOES GET REALLY WORSE?
>> YES.
THAT IS POSSIBLE.
IF THE CONDITIONS WARRANT THAT.
WE JUST HAD A BRIEFING THIS
MORNING WITH OUR NATIONAL GUARD
GENERAL DOGGERTY.
SO FAR THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY
REQUESTS FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES
TO ASSIST.
AND THE WAY THIS WORKS IF LOCAL
COMMUNITIES ASK FOR ASSISTANCE,
THEN THE NATIONAL GUARD CAN
COME IN.
WE STAND AND WE'RE READY
WILLING AND ABLE TO RESPOND TO
THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
AND THAT IS IMPORTANT.
WE ARE ON GUARD I THINK THAT'S
THE MESSAGE HERE AT THE MOMENT.
WE NEED TO BE ON GUARD FOR THE
NEXT SEVERAL DAYS AND FOR THOSE
KIND OF THINGS.
AND YOU CAN TRUST THAT WE WILL
BE THERE.
>> GOVERNOR INSLEE, CHRIS
WRIGHT.
TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO
GIVEN YOUR STATE OF EMERGENCY,
WHETHER OR NOT ANOTHER DAY OF
SCHOOL IS GOING TO BE REQUIRED.
CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT THAT MEANS
IN TERMS OF SCHOOLS?
WILL THEY STILL HAVE TO ATTEND
THE REQUIRED DAYS THIS YEAR?
>> THAT WILL BE LARGELY UP TO
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INTRODUCTION.
I DEFER THAT QUESTION TO HIM IN
THAT REGARD.
I WILL SAY THIS.
I DO NOT HAVE THE EXECUTIVE
AUTHORITY TO ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE
ORDER THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE NOW
AT HOME AND NOT -- GOING TO
SCHOOL, TO GO SHOVEL THEIR
NEIGHBORS' DRIVEWAY.
HOWEVER, I CAN SAY -- HOWEVER,
I CAN SAY WHEN THEY APPLY TO
ONE OF THE FINE UNIVERSITIES
AND THEY PUT ON THE PUBLIC THAT
THEY SHOVELED THEIR ELDERLY --
APPLICATION THAT THEY SHOVELED
THEIR ELDERLY NEIGHBOR'S
DRIVEWAY THAT'S GOING TO LOOK
REALLY GOOD.
I HOPE THEY CONSIDER THAT.
>> QUESTION FOR THE CITY.
SDOT HAS BEEN REALLY AGGRESSIVE
ABOUT THE EMERALD AND GOLD
ROUTES.
IT IS TIME TO HAVE EMERALD AND
GOLD PEDESTRIAN ROUTES, GIVEN
THE INCREASE IN WALKING AND
SOMEWHAT OF AN OUTCRY FOR SDOT
TO JUMP ON THOSE?
>> YEAH.
WE'VE TRIED TO DO ACTUALLY
BOTH.
BECAUSE WE DON'T THINK THEY'RE
MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.
SO THE ROAD CREWS HAVE BEEN
WORKING TO KEEP THE EMERALD AND
GOLD ROUTES OPEN AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE BUT AS WE'VE MOVED
INTO THE TIME OF THE WREAK
WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WORK.
ALSO LOOKING AT PEDESTRIAN CORE
AND WHERE PEOPLE ARE WALKING.
OBVIOUSLY ADJACENT LANDOWNERS
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEARING
THEIR OWN SIDEWALKS BUT SDOT
HAS BEEN VERY ASSIDUOUS AROUND
MAKING SURE THE PEDESTRIAN
WALKWAYS THAT LEAD TO BUSES AND
TO CURB RAMPS TO WHERE PEOPLE
WE KNOW ARE GOING, SO WE'VE
BEEN DOING THAT.
I ALSO WANT TO CALL OUT THE
PARKS WHICH HAS BEEN ANYTHING
ADJACENT TO A PARK, THE PARK
CREWS HAVE BEEN THERE
THEMSELVES SHOVELING AND WE'VE
BEEN WORKING VERY HARD TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE KEEP PEDESTRIAN
WAYS CLEAR.
ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS SHOULD
BE CLEARING THEIR OWN
SIDEWALKS.
RECOMMEND THAT PEOPLE CONTINUE
TO DO THAT.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS
EVENT, DEPENDING ON HOW IT
HAPPENS, WE'LL BE MAKING
DETERMINATIONS ON HOW WE THEN
MOVE FROM ARTERIAL TUSSORES
KENNELLABLE STREETS.
BUT -- TO RESIDENTIAL STREETS.
BUT THE CLEAR PRIORITY HAS TO
BE KEEPING THE MAIN ARTERIALS
OPEN AND MAKING SURE THE
TRANSPORTATION AND OUR FIRE AND
RESCUE CAN GET TO WHERE THEY
NEED TO GET THEN WE EVALUATE.
>> DO YOU SEE THE PLAN UPDATED
IN THE FUTURE TO CREATE
PRIORITY COMMON AREAS LIKE
DANNYWAY FOR INSTANCE?
>> I THINK THINK WE WILL
EVALUATE EVERYTHING WE HAVE
DONE AND WHETHER NOW THAT WE
HAVE A DENSER CITY AND PEOPLE
ARE WORKING AND COMMUTING IN
DIFFERENT WAYS, WHETHER WE'RE
MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING
THAT INTO EFFECT.
BUT I WOULD SAY THAT TO DATE,
WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN
KEEPING THOSE ROADWAYS AND
SIDEWALKS OPEN.
AND SAFE AS BEST WE CAN.
>> IS THERE ANY EFFORT PROVIDE
FOOD TO KIDS WHO DEPEND ON FREE
MEALS IN THE SCHOOLS?
>> YEAH, WE TALKED TO THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BRIEFLY
ABOUT THAT.
BECAUSE LOT OF FAMILIES DO RELY
ON THE REDUCED AND FREE LUNCH
PROGRAM.
IT'S ANOTHER UNFORTUNATE THING
IS MONDAYS A NUMBER OF FOOD
BANKS ARE CLOSED.
WE'RE WORKING WITH THE
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION
PARTNERS TO SEE HOW WE CAN GET
AS MUCH FOOD AVAILABLE AND WILL
BE PUTTING THAT INFORMATION
BOTH UP ON OUR WEBSITES AND
REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY
BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO SEE WHAT
WE CAN DO TO PROVIDE PEOPLE
FOOD WHEN THEY NEED IT.
>> SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
TELLING ME THEY'RE STAYING IN
SHELTERS DON'T HAVE ANY FOOD.
ANY THOUGHT OF BRINGING FOOD
BANKS TO THESE WARMING
SHELLERS?
>> WE'RE TRYING THE GET AS MUCH
FOOD INTO WARMING SHELTERS AS
WE CAN.
THE WARMING SHELTERS AT -- THE
ONE WE OPENED UP IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT AT GARFIELD AND BITTER
LAKE WILL HAVE MEAL PROGRAMS.
AGAIN I WANT TO CALL OUT THE
PARK STAFF THAT KEPT THE ONE
OPEN DOWN AT THE GARFIELD
COMMUNITY CENTER.
ONE OF THE STAFF MEMBERS
COMMUTED HIMSELF FROM TACOMA
EVERY DAY TO DO HIS SHIFTS AT
THAT SHELTER AND WE HAVE PEOPLE
SPU WHO HAVE GOT THE TRAINING
IN SHELTERS SERVICES.
WHO ARE JUMPING IN TO DO THE
BITTER LAKES.
WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN TO
GET NOT JUST STAFF TO OPEN
THOSE UP BUT TO MAKE SURE THE
PEOPLE HAVE FOOD AND WARMTH AND
LAUNDRY SERVICES AND SHOWERS
WHERE POSSIBLE AS WELL.
>> I KNOW JASON THREW OUT A
BUNCH OF NUMBERS.
BUT HOW MANY HAVE BEEN TAKEN
OUT OF TENTS BY THE NAB TEAM
OVER THE LAST -- 48 HOURS?
>> YEAH.
JUST IN THE --
>> SORRY.
OVER THE SUNDAY/MONDAY MORNING,
THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET NEARLY
70 INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED
HOMELESSNESS INTO SHELTERS.
SO IT'S BEEN A REALLY
SUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO HAVE THEM
OUT AND ABOUT AROUND THE CLOCK.
DAY AND NIGHT.
ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO COME IN.
>> AND THAT'S IN ADDITION TO
THE DOZENS EACH NIGHT BEFORE
THAT.
>> CORRECT.
>> IT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
>> HAVE THERE BEEN ANY DEATHS
PARTICULARLY WITH THE HOMELESS
POPULATION SINCE THE SERIES OF
STORMS BEGAN?
ESPECIALY FOR THOSE WHO ARE
LIVING OUTSIDE.
>> WE'VE HAD ONE EXPOSURE DEATH
THAT HAPPENED OVER THE WEEKEND.
WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT THE
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THAT.
TO SEE WHAT THE CAUSES OF IT
WERE AND AS EVERYONE KNOWS WHEN
THESTAIRS STORM CAME THROUGH,
WE HAD A PERSON WHO DIED OF
EXPOSURE.
SO BUT OTHER THAN THOSE TWO
INCIDENTS WE'RE NOT AWARE OF
ANY.
BUT WE'RE ALSO GOING, HAVING
THE NAVIGATION TEAM NOW DO A
SECOND ROUND BECAUSE A NUMBER
OF THE TENTS ARE NOT BUILT FOR
THIS WEATHER.
SNOW ACCUMULATES.
WE'VE BEEN VERY CAREFUL NOT TO
ENTER INTO TENTS.
WE WANT TO GO BACK THROUGH TO
MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE WHO CHOSE
TO REMAIN OUTSIDE IN TENTS ARE
SAFE.
>> AT ALL THREE OF THE DOTs IS
THERE ENOUGH SALT AND ANY
DISCUSSION AT ALL ABOUT
BRINGING IN EXTRA RESOURCES IF
THIS CONTINUES?
>> WE WERE ABLE TO GET ENOUGH
SALT AND WE GOT A REPORT THIS
MORNING, WE HAD ENOUGH TO GET
THROUGH THE NEXT EVEN IF IT'S
JUST PURE SNOW, AND BECAUSE OF
THE GREAT COLLABORATION WITH
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
AND OUR TRANSIT PARTNERS, WE
GOT SALT TO THE OUTLYING CITIES
AS WELL TO USE THAT FOR THEIR
ROADS.
I THINK WE'RE GOOD FOR THE
SHORT FERN.
IF THE WEATHER COOPERATES THE
THING WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING
FOR NEXT IS OBVIOUSLY THE
COMPACT SNOW AND ICE.
INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS FOR BOTH
PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS.
AND CHANGE TO FLOODING EVENTS
CAN THEN IN SEATTLE WE HAVE A
HISTORY THAT AFTER EVENTS LIKE
THIS, THAT WE CAN HAVE A NUMBER
OF SLIDES.
AND SO WE'RE PREPARING THE NEXT
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO MAKE SURE
THAT IF THERE'S UNSTABLE
HILLSIDES, WE'RE LOOKING FOR
THAT AND BE ABLE TO RESPOND SO
RESIDENTS WHO MAY BE LIVING IN
THOSE AREAS.
>> CAN YOU FURTHER EXPLAIN THE
DE-ICING EXPANSION TALKED
ABOUT?
WITH THE PLAINS AND FOR ROADS?
IS THERE A SHORTAGE?
>> THERE WAS A CONCERN
EXPRESSED BY THE SUPPLIER OF
THE DE-ICING CHEMICALS TOAD
THEY NEEDED HELP TO BE ABLE TO
DELIVER BY LOOSENING SOME OF
THE HOURLY RESTRICTIONS ON
TRCK DRIVERS.
THEY WERE CONCERNED IN THE
UPCOMINGTIES THERE COULD BE --
DAYS THERE COULD BE A SHORTAGE.
WE'RE GOING TO REMOVE THAT
RESTRICTION.
ASSUMING THAT HAPPENS, I THINK
WE'LL BE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.
TO COME BACK TO THE ROADS, DE-
ICING, WE THINK WE'RE IN PRETTY
GOOD SHAPE THROUGHOUT THIS
WEEK.
BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT IF WE
GET HAMMERED WITH SOME MORE
STORMS LATER IN FEBRUARY, WE
COULD HAVE SOME ISSUES.
AND WE MIGHT HAVE TO CHANGE OUR
SYSTEM OF USING SAND AND DE-
ICING TO HAVE A DIFFERENT
MIXTURE.
BUT WE'RE WELL ON THE WAY OF
THINKING ABOUT THAT.
I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING TOO AND
I HOPE IT'S NOT TOO OFF TOPIC
BUT I HAVE TO SAY IT.
WHEN THINK OF OUR COMMUNITY
THAT HAS HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO
ACTUALLY ONE OF WHOM LOST THEIR
LIFE TO EXPOSURE, AND REALIZE
THAT WE DON'T HAVE A SYSTEM TO
HANDLE THIS WILL PROBLEM IN THE
STATE IT KIND OF DRIVES ME
NUTS.
GIVEN THE WEALTH THAT EXISTS IN
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.
AND I JAZERANT TO NOTE THAT
BECAUSE TODAY -- JUST WANT TO
NOTE THAT BECAUSE TODAY IN THE
LEGISLATURE WE HAVE A PROPOSAL
TO HAVE A TAX SYSTEM ON REALLY
HIGH INCOME PEOPLE THAT IN PART
WILL HELP DEAL WITH THIS.
AND I KNOW AND I TALKED TO
LEGISLATORS I'M I'M GOING
REMIND THEM OF THAT.
THAT WHEN A STATE THAT HAS THIS
ENORMOUS POCKETS OF WEALTH TO
HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE WE CAN TAKE
CARE OF HOMELESS PEOPLE.
ILL HOPE THAT'S A LESSON WE
TAKE FROM THE SNOWSTORM THIS
YEAR.
>> FREEZING RAIN DOES COME IN,
DOES YOUR PLAN, THE CITY, THE
STATE, CHANGE AT ALL?
HOW DO YOU FORESEE THAT
HAPPENING?
>> YEAH.
YOU CAN DO METRO.
I'LL DO ONE THING.
THE BIGGEST CONCERN THE CITY
HAS FROM FREEZING RAIN OTHER
THAN TRAFFIC WHICH WE'LL DEAL
WITH IS POWER.
BECAUSE FREEZING RAIN NOT ONLY
MAKES BRANCHES HEAVY, FALL ON
POWER LINES AND WE'VE SEEN
FREEZING RAIN CONDITIONS.
AND SO WE'VE BEEN RESTING THE
CITY LIGHT CREWS.
BUT HAVE THEM READY AND
PREPOSITIONED ON ALL PARTS OF
THE CITY.
WE KNOW WHERE THOSE AREAS ARE
THAT TEND TO GET THAT.
I'LL LET THE EXECUTIVE DEAL
WITH HOW WE'RE DEALING WITH
METRO FOR FREEZING RAIN.
>> SO IT PRESENTS A REAL
CHALLENGE.
BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE THE
CALL LIKE 10:00 A.M.
TOMORROW ABOUT WHETHER WE'RE
GOING TO INCREASE BUS SERVICE
ON WEDNESDAY.
IT TAKES THAT LONG TO BE ABLE
TO BRING IN THE CREWS AND
DEPLOY THE COACHES.
SO IF FREEZING RAIN IS PART OF
THE MIX, IT IS GOING TO CAUSE
US FAIRLY EARLY TO HAVE TO MAKE
THE CALL TO CONTINUE THE
EMERGENCY SERVICE NETWORK FOR
ANOTHER DAY.
JUST BECAUSE WE CANNOT SEND ALL
THE COACHES OUT ON TO VERY ICY
ROADS.
THEY WILL GET STUCK AND NO FULL
SERVICE WHEN THE WEATHER SYSTEM
PASSES.
I WILL SAY THAT IN THE --
COACHES DOWNTOWN, THE REPERTORY
TROLLEYS, WE TAKE THOSE OUT OF
SERVICE RIGHT AWAY AT THE START
OF THE WEATHER EVENT BECAUSE
THEY DON'T DO WELL IN ICY OR
SNOWY CONDITIONS.
THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WILL NOT
BE AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM FOR THE
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE BUSES.
WE'LL USE DIESELS ON THOSE.
BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A REALLY
MINUTE BY MINUTE EXERCISE TO
DETERMINE WHETHER WE'RE ABLE TO
RUN HIGHER LEVELS OF SERVICE ON
WEDNESDAY.
>> I HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE
QUESTION.
>> TWO STATE TROOPERS WHO WERE
HIT.
CAN YOU GIVE US THE UPDATE AND
ALSO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE
SEATTLE AREA COLLISION IF YOU
KNOW IT?
ú>> THANKFULLY THE TROOPER IN
THE SPOKANE AREA IS GOING TO BE
OUT FOR ABOUT A WEEK.
SUFFERED BACK, HEAD AND NECK
INJURIES.
BUT NOTHING MORE SERIOUS THAN
THAT.
AND THE TROOPER HERE IN SEATTLE
SUFFERED THANKFULLY MINOR
INJURIES.
SO.
WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THAT TROOP
RECEIVER GOING TO BE BACK TO
WORK IN A COUPLE OF DAYS OR SO.
>> MAYOR, YOU JUST HAD SOME
PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA ASK THIS
QUESTION AND MAY BELIEVE YOU
CAN GIVE SOME -- MAYBE YOU CAN
GAVE SOME DIE ANSWER ON THIS.
SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE I WORK FOR
COMPANIES THAT KIND OF FEEL
LIKE WE'RE FORCED TO COME INTO
WORK ARE THERE ANY EMPLOYEE
RIGHTS THAT YOU KNOW OF?
>> WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO WORK
BOTH WITH THE EMPLOYEES' SIDE
AND IF EMPLOYERS SIDE.
WE WORKS REALLY HORDE WITH THE
-- WORKED REALLY HORDE WITH THE
EMPLOYERS OF THE VIADUCT.
I THINK THAT WE'VE REALLY TRIED
TO HAVE PEOPLE B PATIENT.
AND TO SHOW A AT WILL HAVE THAT
LATITUDE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO
KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES SAFE.
PEOPLE WANT THEIR FAMILY TO BE
SAFE.
AND IT HELPS ALL OF US TO KEEP
PEOPLE OFF THE ROADS.
SO I DON'T KNOW OF ANY SPECIFIC
BUT IF PEOPLE WANT TO SEND US A
MESSAGE, AND ANY PARTICULAR
INCIDENT WE'LL LOOK AT IT.
>> JUST ONE MORE THING ABOUT
THAT.
WITH WITH REGARD TO INCREASING
THE BUS SERVICE.
OUR FOLKS ARE IN CONTACT WITH
MAJOR EMPLOYERS AROUND THE
REGION.
WE TALK WITH -- WITH EMPLOYERS
AS WELL AS UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON AND THE SCHOOL
DISTRICTS.
I'VE BEEN TALKING DIRECTLY WITH
SUPERINTENDENT JUNEAU ABOUT
WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE.
NOT JUST THE JELL-O SCHOOL
BUSES A LOT OF THE KIDS GET TO
SCHOOL ON METRO TRANSIT OR
SOUND TRANSIT.
AND SO OUR DECISIONS ARE
COORDINATED TO THE EXTENT
POSSIBLE AND WE WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE ARE ALL OPERATING
AT LEAST WHEN THE SAME SET OF
ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE
WEATHER FORECAST HOLDS.
WHAT IS SAFE TO OPERATE ON THE
ROADS.
THIS REGION, USUALLY SHUTS DOWN
FOR A DAY DURING A SNOW EVENT
RIGHT?
SNOW DAY.
WE ARE NOT USED TO HAVING TO
COPE WITH A WEEK-LONG
CHALLENGE.
AND I THINK THIS IS YOU KNOW,
IN ADDITION TO THE FACT THAT
WE'RE COORDINATING DAY-TO-DAY,
I THINK WE'RE BUILDING SOME
REALLY GOOD COOPERATION THAT'S
GOING TO HELP US IN THE FUTURE
AND MAYBE EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT
EVENTS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME.
STAY SAFE.