Community Corner

Mopping Up: Factoria Power Outages Slated for Repair by Monday

The city of Bellevue encourages people to clear storm drains of snow and ice, and to remain cautious on local roads. PSE reports that about 250 in Bellevue remain without power, and power is expected to restored to all by Monday.

Update, Sunday, Jan. 22, 5 a.m.:

Power will be restored to most customers in Bellevue by Sunday, but some in the Factoria area can expect repairs to be complete by Monday evening (Jan. 23), according to Puget Sound Energy.

About 250 homes and businesses in Bellevue remain without power, including about 40 in the Factoria area, according to Puget Sound Energy. 

Find out what's happening in Bellevuewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Puget Sound Energy asked homeowners to prepare for power restoration by checking for damage to their power connections and by turning off most lights:

In preparation for power restoration, we ask that customers who have overhead distribution lines serving their homes make sure there is no damage to the weatherhead – the roof-mounted pole-like structure where the electrical service enters their home – that belongs to them. If customers do discover damage to their weatherhead, PSE cannot legally restore power until the damage has been repaired by a licensed electrician. Once those repairs have been completed and if the neighborhood has power, the customer should call 1-888-225-5773 and we will dispatch a service crew to make permanent connections and restore power once those repairs have been completed.

Find out what's happening in Bellevuewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We also ask that customers without power turn off lights, appliances and electronic devices, leaving one light on so they know when power has returned. This is to ensure electrical lines serving their neighborhood doesn’t become overloaded and blow a fuse, causing a second outage.

Illustrations and information are available on Puget Sound Energy's Real Time Updates Page.

Original story, Jan. 21, 8:30 a.m.

Here is an update on the mop up of this week's winter weather in Bellevue and regionally. According to the National Weather Service, showers and rain are likely throughout Saturday and Sunday, the day is expected to be breezy with wind gusts of up to 45 mph, which could bring down tree limbs and knock out power lines. However, temperatures are expected to be around 45 degrees -- above freezing -- for most of today, according to the National Weather Service.

Bellevue

The city of Bellevue encourages residents to clear storm drains near their property if it's safe to reduce the possibility of street flooding.

The city reports that primary arterials are mostly bare and wet, with some clean up remaining. Slush remains on some secondary and tertiary arterials, but side streets still have accumulations of snow or ice.

According to the city, snow response crews have been deployed citywide to remove snow and ice accumulations from neighborhoods. 

However, compact snow and ice and ponding water could remain a concern on the roads, and drivers are advised to be cautious, the city said on its weather response website. Drivers who live on roads with compact snow and ice are advised to use traction tires and to drive carefully.

Puget Sound Energy

Fewer than 500 homes and businesses in Bellevue remain without power, according to Puget Sound Energy's Service Alert Map.

The utility warns residents to stay away from all downed lines. If you see a downed line, assume it is a power line, still energized and dangerous, the utility advises. Notify PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or call 911 if you see a downed line.

Regionwide, the utility reports that 200 crews will be repairing powerlines throughout King, Pierce and Thurston counties. Puget Sound Energy reported that it could take until Monday or Tuesday until all power is restored to its service area.

For people without power, the Issaquah Community Center has a general population shelter operated by the American Red Cross.

Issaquah Community Center (open until further notice)   

  301 Rainer Boulevard South
  open 24 hours to the general population  
  operated by the American Red Cross

NOTE: Anyone seeking shelter should bring: 
  -Prescription and emergency medications.
  -Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, toiletries, important documents and other comfort items. 
  -For families with infants and children, remember to bring items such as diapers, formula and toys. 
  -Animals, except for service animals are not allowed at the shelters

Families who need emergency shelter can call the (located in Bellevue) to inquire about disaster-related emergency boarding at 425-274-1498.

King County

County fire and health officials are reminding residents of the dangers of using charcoal grills and generators as a heat source after two incidents in Kent overnight of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by grills used indoors.

A flood advisory remains in effect for urban neighborhoods and small streams until this afternoon. King County reminds you to check and clear out storm drains in your neighborhood that may be clogged with snow and debris.

Metro Transit 

People riding the bus Saturday and Sunday should check the Metro website before traveling. There will be no route cancellations, but slush and debris may cause some routes to remain on snow routes. King County Metro has updated information online or through Transit Alerts. People can also call the Customer Information Office at 206-553-3000 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Due to the volume of calls, there may be longer-than-normal waits on the phone. 

Disposing of storm debris

Residents and businesses are encouraged to recycle construction, demolition and land clearing debris. To see a complete list of recycling options and links to resources, visit http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/wdidw/material.asp.

Small amounts of construction, demolition and land clearing debris are accepted at King County solid waste transfer stations. Customers using dump trucks, flat beds that dump, or roll-off boxes may not dispose of construction, demolition and land clearing debris at King County transfer stations unless it is less than 10 percent of the total volume of the load. (Note: Dump trucks, flat beds and roll-offs with construction, demolition and land clearing debris are accepted at the Vashon transfer station.)

The following restrictions also apply: 

  • No hazardous or dangerous waste.
  • No items greater than eight feet long.
  • Dense items that are bigger than 2 feet x 2 feet x 2 feet and weigh more than 200 pounds are not accepted. Examples include big pieces of concrete, large stumps, wood stoves and cast iron bathtubs.
  • The maximum combined vehicle and trailer length limits are: 30 feet at Algona, Cedar Falls, Factoria, Houghton, Renton and Vashon and 40 feet at Bow Lake, Enumclaw and Shoreline.

Free snow and ice storm damage inspections in unincorporated areas

Residents in unincorporated King County (which in the Bellevue area includes the Eastgate, Tamara Hills, Hilltop and Horizon View neighborhoods) and whose homes were damaged during this week’s snow and ice storms are offered free building inspections from King County’s Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES). DDES has waived the associated fee to help residents speed up repair to their property. Also, priority service will be given for damaged structures requiring permits for repair work. 

The King County Department of Development and Environmental Services also reminds the public that permits may be required before performing certain non-building related repairs, such as hazard tree removal if trees are in environmentally critical areas. Permits can be issued retroactively if a tree poses imminent danger to persons or property.

To request a damage assessment inspection during business hours, please call 206-296-6630. DDES operates Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. www.kingcounty.gov/property/permits/about/ddesmap.aspx.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 

Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill. Carbon monoxide gas comes from burning fuels such as gasoline, propane, oil, kerosene, natural gas, coal or wood.

Prevent poisoning from carbon monoxide:

  • Only use a generator outdoors and far from open windows and vents
  • Never use a generator or portable propane heater indoors, in garages or carports
  • Never cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen suddenly and without warning. Physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include splitting 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 re-enter the home.

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

Medical support if your power is out

Some people receive medical support at home that may be disrupted by the power outages. If you need power for medical equipment or need replacement oxygen tanks, call Public Health at 1-877-903-KING (5464) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for assistance

-- Information from the city of Bellevue, Puget Sound Energy and King County


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