King County issues adverse weather operations plan; tips

Due to snow conditions and slick roads Tuesday and Wednesday, residents are urged to use caution while commuting to work and to telecommute if possible. Individuals should take their time and be patient, and emphasize safety over getting to a destination quickly.

Here is the latest information from King County:

King County Operations: Some King County agencies are reporting closed operations today. Updated closures are posted online at www.kingcounty.gov. These agencies include:

King County District Court locations will open one hour later than usual, at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

King County Superior Court locations will open one hour later than usual, at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

King County residents may be able to obtain some services online, such as pet licensing, car tabs, marriage licenses by mail, property tax payments, business licensing and more.

Metro Transit: King County Metro Transit will operate with buses on snow routes Tuesday, and some bus routes and trips may be cancelled. As travel conditions deteriorate, please consider limiting travel if at all possible. Check Metro’s snow page (www.kingcounty.gov/metro/snow) for the current status of bus service.

First Responders: First responders and mission critical staff are expected to report to their work location as usual. This includes, but is not limited to, corrections officers, 911 call center operators, emergency personnel, security staff, and certain senior managers.

Public Health Centers: Anyone seeking a service at a Public Health Center or other Public Health location Tuesday should call the facility number to find out the status of the roads and sidewalks and service availability before leaving home. Contact information is available on the Public Health website at www.kingcounty.gov/health.

Beware of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: When power is out for extended periods, the risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning goes up.  Protect yourself and your family by taking precautions:

• During a power outage or at any other time, do not operate fuel-powered machinery such as a generator indoors, including the garage.  Keep your generator away from open windows or vents while it is running.

• Do not cook or heat with charcoal barbecues inside your home.

• Avoid combustion “space heaters” unless there is an exhaust vent.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can strike suddenly and without warning. In some cases, physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include severe headache, nausea and vomiting, and lethargy and fatigue. If you believe you could be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Call for medical help from a neighbor’s home. The Fire Department will tell you when it is safe to reenter the home.

For a full list of carbon monoxide prevention tips and other safety and disaster information in English and other languages, visit: http://kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/disaster.aspx

If power goes out where you live, keep food safe: Keep the doors closed on your refrigerators and freezers as much as possible. This keeps the cold air inside. A full freezer can stay at freezing temperatures about two days; a half-full freezer about 1 day.

If you think the power will be out for several days, try to find some ice to pack inside your refrigerator. Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods. Refrigerated foods should be safe as long as the power is out no more than a few hours and the refrigerator/freezer doors have been kept closed. Throw away potentially hazardous foods (such as meat and fish) if they warm up above 41º F.

Frozen foods that remain frozen are OK to eat. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed (such as meat and fish), but are still cold or have ice crystals on them, you should use them as soon as possible. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed and are warmer than 41º F, you should throw them away.

Warming Facilities Throughout King County:

Warming centers are available throughout King County.  Facility locations are as follows:

King County Winter Shelters (nightly, all winter)

YWCA Angeline’s Center for Homeless Women

2030 3rd Avenue Belltown (between Lenora & Virginia)

9:30 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.

Capacity: 40

Serves women only

County Administrative Building

500 4th Avenue, Seattle

Hours of operation: 9:30 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.

Capacity: 50

Serves men only

Auburn

Severe Weather Shelter (open Tuesday, January 10 – Tuesday, January 17)

Veteran’s Memorial Building

411 E Street NE

Hours of operation: 8:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Serves men, women and families

Bellevue

Eastside Winter Shelter for Homeless Men (through March 15)

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church

17222 NE 8th Street

Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.

Capacity: 50

Eastside Winter Shelter for Homeless Women and Families (through March 15)

Salvation Army

911 164th Ave. NE

Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.

Capacity:15

Serves men and women

Kent

Kent Lutheran Church (open Sunday, January 15 – Tuesday, January 17)

336 2nd Ave. S

Hours of operation: 9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Priority is given to homeless families with children who are living on the streets or in vehicles, but the shelter is also available for unaccompanied women and men; separate sleeping space has been prepared for men, women, and for families with children.

As with all shelters, rules for the health and safety of clients, staff and the broader community will apply.

The SWS will be operated by Catholic Community Services staff and volunteers from Kent Lutheran Church and the greater Kent community.

Renton

Harambee Church (open Monday, January 16 and Tuesday, January 17)

316 South 3rd Street

9:00 p.m. Check-in and registration. Clients must register at the door. Drop-ins are welcome.

7:00 a.m. Shelter closes; clients must vacate

Separate areas for men, women, and families. It is safe and confidential. As with all shelters, rules for the health and safety of all clients and staff and the broader community will apply.

The shelter will be operated by Catholic Community Services staff, and volunteers from Harambee Church and the Renton community.

Seattle

City Hall (open nightly, through March)

Located on 4th Avenue between James and Cherry Streets

Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Capacity: 75

Co-ed: Serves men, women and families

Frye Hotel (open nightly, through March)

Located on 3rd and Yesler in Pioneer Square

Hours of operation: 8:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Capacity: 25

Serves only women

Emergency Weather Shelter (open Saturday, January 14 – Tuesday, January 17)

Seattle Center Rainier Room (next to Key Arena)

Use bus routes 1, 2, 4 or 16

Hours of operation: 9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

The emergency weather shelter serves adult men and women. Open access – no referral forms required.