Contact:
Fay Lim Kent Patton
Communications Supervisor Communications Director
Fay.Lim@snoco.org Kent.Patton@snoco.org
425-388-6414 or mob: 425-760-2305 425-388-3883 or mob: 425- 330-1858
Snohomish County Prepared for Upcoming Weather Events
Online resources available showing Snohomish County snowplow and deicer route priorities
EVERETT, Wash., January 11, 2020 – Because of winter weather forecasts, Snohomish County is monitoring the weather and prepared for the expected storms. Plans are in place with crews and plows scheduled to work on clearing designated priority snow and ice removal routes. Crews will be on 12-hour shifts to plow and apply sand should there be continuous snowfall.
“The public's safety is always our priority,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “During potentially hazardous situations, such as a serious storm, we take steps to prepare. We are grateful to the men and women of our road crews and other public safety professionals who work during these weather events. We urge the public to use common sense and give our crews room to work.”
“We have enough salt, sand, and mixed products available for at least seven continuous (24/7) days of snow and ice fighting. We have our full complement of trucks and sanders ready to go,” said Road Maintenance Division Director Steve Flude of Snohomish County Department of Public Works. “Also we added plows to a few of our one-ton trucks to allow for even greater responsiveness in hard to reach areas. Steps have been taken to ensure we are able to secure additional abrasives should the need arise. We even have coordinated with our county’s fleet division to ensure they are ready to repair our vehicles or replace our plow blades.”
Snohomish County Department of Public Works is prepared with resources including 23,000 gallons of liquid deicer, 9,500 tons of sand, 5,500 tons of sand mixed with salt, 925 tons of salt, 46 plow/sander trucks in a variety of configurations to suit rural and urban conditions, four all-wheel drive motor graders, and two liquid deicer application trucks. A procurement of a variety of plow blades from rubber and ceramic to steel are available as conditions warrant.
Check for road closures on the Snohomish County Road Closure Information website. View the map where Snohomish County’s priority snow and ice removal routes are located.
Before heading out, it is highly recommended that commuters check their travel routes and options. For those traveling through unincorporated Snohomish County, visit the Public Works Snow and Ice webpage for snowplow and sander route priorities, and road closure information. The prioritization of snow and ice routes are based on public safety needs, traffic volume, transit and school bus routes, terrain, and knowledge of problem areas. The prioritization does not change based on public calls – even multiple calls – requesting service.
During snow/ice weather events, it’s also important to:
- Know who to call and when:
- Give snowplows and deicers plenty of room to work. Allow for a minimum following distance of 200 feet from the plows and deicers while they are working.
- If you must pass, take extreme caution and beware of the displaced snow and ice, or sand spray.
- Vehicles parked along all major arterials and emergency routes must be moved off the street. It is recommended for them to be moved when snow is in the forecast.
- Keep drainage inlets near your home clear of leaves and debris during the winter months to help reduce the chance of flooding.
- Try to keep garbage bins and other obstacles out of the street when the roads are icy or covered with snow.
- Obey road closed signs.
Follow the Department of Emergency Management and Snohomish County on Twitter and like Snohomish County on Facebook for the most up-to-date information during a major storm.
About Snohomish County Public Works
The Snohomish County Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads; controls and manages surface water quantity, quality, and fish habitats; and oversees the recycling and disposal of solid waste. The department’s main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. For more information about Snohomish County Public Works, visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks.