Press Release:

The City of Seattle will continue its full response in treating snow routes through the night but the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be deactivated at 7 p.m. today, following two days of operation in response to the first snowstorm of the season. The EOC is scheduled to resume operations at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Barb Graff, director of the city of Seattle's Office of Emergency Management, said the EOC stood down after emergency activity declined to the level where it was appropriate for the city to go back to normal departmental operations.

The city’s response to the snowstorm included:

· SDOT anti-icing / plows
· Additional shelter opened at Seattle Center Pavilion
· Warming centers opened at the Family and Adult Service Center (FASC) Day Center and The Seattle Center House
· Warnings about appropriate heating devices
· Information on what to do if you experience frozen pipes
· How to protect your pets from cold weather

Looking ahead to Wednesday:

POLICE

As a result of the traffic-related issues created by the snow and ice, the Seattle Police Department is currently managing snow-related incidents at the precinct level, with periodic reporting through the SPOC. Police staffing and call volume today have been comparable to normal operations and has not been significantly affected by the weather. It is anticipated that SPD will return to normal operations tomorrow if conditions remain the same.

HUMAN SERVICES

Several shelters will be available for people trying to avoid the cold:
· The co-ed City Hall shelter, located at Fourth and James, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m., capacity, 75 people;
· The Frye Hotel, for women only, at Third and Yesler, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., capacity, 25 people.
· The Seattle Center shelter building will be switched from the Pavilion to the Rainier Room (one of the Northwest rooms), 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., capacity 100 people.

LIBRARIES

· All locations of The Seattle Public Library, including the downtown Central Library, will be open from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 24

PARKS

· Parks and Recreation Community Centers, Discovery Park ELC, Camp Long, and the Amy Yee Tennis Center will operate from 10am – 5pm, Wednesday, 11/24, for drop-in activities.
· Pools will operate an adjusted schedule, please call the individual pool for programs and times. Madison Pool will be closed tomorrow.
· Athletic Fields will be closed Wednesday
· School Age Care Programs are cancelled
· Athletic programs are cancelled
· Scheduled Recreation programs and classes are cancelled
· Swimming Lesson programs are cancelled
· Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center will be closed
· Green Lake and Mt Baker Small Craft Centers will be closed
· Parks will make a decision on golf courses in the morning

PREPAREDNESS

· The City of Seattle is a partner in the Take Winter By Storm campaign to help residents prepare for winter conditions and emergencies. For information about how you can better prepare, visit www.takewinterbystorm.org