press release:
With temperatures below freezing and more winter weather in the forecast, Mayor Mike McGinn activated Seattle’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) this morning. The EOC will remain open as needed to monitor weather conditions and provide support and coordination with city departments.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has 18 trucks out to keep major arterial streets clear. Crews are mostly using granular salt. In spots where there is ice they are using liquid de-icer. Most major arterial streets are bare and wet, including the West Seattle Bridge and the Alaskan Way Viaduct, but many side streets are icy. SDOT crews are currently focused on several trouble spots, including on Capitol Hill where Sunday’s snowfall was heavier.

Drivers should use caution if they must travel this morning. SDOT’s Winter Weather page at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/winterweather.htm includes maps of the City’s snow routes and real-time information on road conditions.

Most of the regional transit agencies are currently running on snow routes including King County Metro (http://www.kingcounty.gov/metro/snow) and Sound Transit (http://www.soundtransit.org/Schedules/Alerts/Winter-Weather.xml). Riders are encouraged to check bus status online as conditions change rapidly.

Many sidewalks are icy. Pedestrians should use caution while walking and crossing streets. It is the responsibility of property owners to keep their sidewalks clear of ice to protect pedestrian safety.

While some roads in Seattle may still be icy, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is advising customers to treat Monday as a normal day for garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collection. Collections to most business and apartments are also scheduled to occur today.

But customers should note that collections will be restricted in hilly locations. Most customers in the Magnolia neighborhood will not be serviced today.

For SDOT-specific media inquiries before 9:00 AM contact Marybeth Turner: (206) 255-9363
For all other media inquiries related to this activation contact EOC Media line: (206) 233-5072