Stay Safe if it Snows: Snow Preparedness Tips

Snowfall in the lowlands is a possibility all over western Washington Wednesday (Feb. 23) morning through Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service's latest winter warning.

Already there has been scattered reports of snowfall throughout the area, including in Bellevue, and the National Weather Service is warning that there could be snowfall overnight with three inches in the Puget Sound area lowlands by Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service reported in a memo that brief and local accumulations could occur in the hills above 300 feet, which would include some neighborhoods of Bellevue.

High temperatures will also be in the 30s, with lows below freezing, according to the National Weather Service. Friday and Saturday are so far projected to be sunny and clear, but cold with high temperatures in the 30s, and lows below freezing.

While a few inches is no reason to panic, it's a good idea to keep the following tips from different agencies in mind any time there is winter weather.

The Washington State Patrol has the following and other tips on its winter driving website.

• Drive for conditions – slower speeds, slower acceleration, slower steering and slower braking in winter conditions.
• Use your headlights.
• Don’t use cruise control.
• Four and all-wheel drive vehicles will not stop or steer better in icy conditions.
• Leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. And remember, big trucks take longer to stop.
• Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps,  bridges, or shady spots.
• Brush the snow off your vehicle, especially your lights, before you drive. It makes you more visible plus snow and ice flying off a vehicle can be dangerous to other drivers.
• If you find yourself behind a snowplow, stay behind it until  it is safe to pass. Remember that a snowplow driver has a  limited field of vision. Stay back (15 car lengths) until you’re  sure it is safe to pass or until the plow pulls off the road.
• Slow down and be extra cautious near the chain-up and  removal areas. There are often people out of their vehicles  moving around.

The city of Bellevue offers these safety tips on its extreme weather response web page:

• Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
• Call Utilities at 425-452-7840 to report flooding, hazardous roads, water main breaks and sewer overflows.
• To report gas leaks, power outages, and down power lines, please call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773.
• Prepare for difficult commutes if roads are icy – plan your routes and avoid peak commute hours if at all possible. Drive only if necessary and go slow, allowing extra following distance. Have traction devices in your vehicle. Test new chains to make sure they fit.
• For other tips on driving in the snow and maintaining your home during cold weather, visit the city's Ice/Snow web page.
• Treat dark intersections as four-way stops.
• If you use a grill or hibachi to cook or a backup generator, keep them outside with a back up generator. They can produce deadly Carbon Monoxide gas. 
• Build Emergency Kits for your family to have at home, in the car and at school or work. Your kit should sustain you for 72 hours or longer. Place in your Emergency Kit:  Food, water, first aid kit, a small tool kit, seasonal clothing, eye protection, flashlight with batteries, gloves, sanitary supplies, sleeping bags and extra blankets.  Remember to add those special supplies if you have small children or you care for a someone with special needs. Items for your pets should also be included.
• To prevent frozen outdoor pipes, insulate them with newspaper, rags or other insulating material. Cover with plastic and secure with string or wire.
• If a water pipe breaks, immediately turn off the main water shut-off valve and/or water meter to control flooding and water damage. Then call a plumber. The main water shut-off valve is usually located in the basement, garage or outdoors by the foundation. If there is no main shut-off valve, there is a valve in the meter box. Turn clockwise with an adjustable wrench.
• Keep sidewalks next to your home clear of ice and snow, but be careful not to overexert yourself.

The American Red Cross of King and Kitsap Counties has a website that describes how to avoid frozen pipes, which can result in water flow being cut off when frozen, and or bursting as it thaws. The site also offers tips on how to safely defrost a frozen pipe. A video by StateFarm insurance here also gives advice on how to safely thaw and prevent a frozen pipe. The video is also included in our videos with this story.

The city of Issaquah offers the following advice on its website for staying safe when the weather is bad:

• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

  o    NEVER use a generator indoors, in garages or carports.

  o    NEVER cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill.

• Take precautions to avoid frozen pipes.
• Cold temperatures can endanger pets who spend time outside.
• Before driving in winter weather, make sure to check your vehicle’s battery, brakes, tires, lights, wipers, oil and radiator fluid/hoses. In addition, pack emergency supplies, including tire chains, in your vehicle.

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