Winter Storm Response

Winter storms bring snow, ice, and cold temperatures. This makes traveling difficult for buses, emergency vehicles, and you. Winter weather also puts people at risk who are experiencing health problems and homelessness. Plus, cold temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and burst. High winds can cause power outages.

• Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) works around the clock to clear 1,200 miles of critical streets for buses and emergency services. See SDOT's winter weather response page that includes travel tips and maps for snow routes, traffic cameras, and more.
• Seattle City Light crews fix and restore power outages and respond to downed wires.
• Seattle Public Utilities offers helpful tips for protecting pipes from freezing, or what to do if they burst and how to check your home for hazardous waste.
• When high winds are forecast, crews are ready to remove fallen trees from the road and power lines, and to repair traffic signs and signals.
• Seattle Fire Department works on injury prevention with safety messaging and by responding to fires, water main breaks, and making equipment ready to respond to emergencies during winter conditions.
• Seattle Parks and Recreation clears critical park paths, sidewalks, and curb ramps and opens golf courses and athletic fields to sledding and play if there is enough snow.