OK... this isn't going to be a "normal" 'Currently' item... I'm going
to complain a bit about the news while I'm at it... Back in the
day, when Walter Cronkite brought us the news every night on CBS, his
intent, and that of the Network, was to bring us the news of the day -
to let us know what happened.
Something changed, and News Services today are not in it to relay the
news, but instead are in it for the money. The more news you sell,
the more money you make. Its a sad reality; an indicator that
we've lost our way a bit.
SEATTLE
- A new night spelled new troubles on area roadways. The record-breaking
cold is bringing misery to folks left to cope without power. But it's
not the end of it. A new snow storm is headed our way.
The evening commute on the Eastside went off without a hitch compared
to Monday night's traffic jam. But the side streets are still dangerous.
But even with sunny skies, Western Washington isn't thawing out soon.
Cold temperatures moved into the region, following Monday's snow storm
that left Puget Sound roads like a roller-skating rink.
Drivers were either battling the morning's icy commute or trying to
dig out their cars from the side of the road after abandoning them
during the storm that struck during rush hour Monday. The worst areas
were the northern and southern regions of Puget Sound and some areas on
the Eastside.
Tuesday's sunny weather slowly thawed some iced-over streets and
slightly helped the roads for the evening commute, but come Wednesday
afternoon, drivers can expect more slushy snow on the pavement.
Iced-over streets in areas like Whatcom County northward will have
some melting, said KING 5 meteorologist Rich Marriott.
Sand and de-icing chemicals from transportation crews, combined with
roadway traffic, cleared up the main routes, making the evening commute
much better than the morning's. Secondary roads, however, will likely
remain icy.
In Eastern Washington, the National Weather Service issued a watch
for wind chills forecast to reach as low as minus-23 overnight Tuesday.
Heavy snow advisories were issued for the northeast corner of the state,
as well as the Palouse region of southeast Washington, which saw 1-3
inches of new snow by Tuesday morning.
Wednesday to bring wet, slushy snow
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for most
of Western Washington from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.
Forecasters say moisture in an approaching frontal system will hit
cold air and fall as snow. It will turn to a mix of rain and snow or
possibly sleet and freezing rain. The storm watch includes the Seattle
metro area and the urban corridor between Chehalis and Bellingham.
Forecasters say the amount of snow or ice accumulation depends on how
quickly the snow turns to rain.
KING 5 meteorologist Rich Marriott anticipates a trace to 4 inches of
snow for the greater Puget Sound region and 2 to 6 inches of snow in the
Northwest Interior and along the Hood Canal.
Since this new storm comes from the Pacific instead of the Arctic, it
will be slightly warmer than Monday's storm, dumping wet, slushy snow
through the night Wednesday.
Monday's arctic storm dumped as much as 2 feet of snow on some parts
of Washington State and left thousands without power. Freeways and city
streets turned into icy gridlock and hundreds of drivers ditched their
cars, leaving freeways looking like frozen parking lots.
For many drivers it was the commute that never ended. Countless
commuters heading home Monday night after work or after the Seahawks
game were still on the road early Tuesday morning as snow and sheets of
ice covered the roads. Even on main arteries, such as Interstates 5, 90
and 405, motorists reported sitting in traffic for 2 hours or more just
to go a few miles.
Transportation officials urged people in icy areas to stay off the
roads, if possible. About 100 highway crews have been working around the
clock clearing snow, applying sand and de-icer and helping clear
accidents.
Many school districts in the Puget Sound area and north were closed
Tuesday or running late. The snow and icy streets in Seattle also
prompted the city to cancel garbage, yard waste and recycling services
Tuesday. Service will resume Wednesday. Tuesday's customers will be
collected Wednesday, Wednesday's customers the following day and so on
for the rest of the week.
Sea-Tac Airport spokesman Bob Parker said runways and taxiways are in
good shape, but airlines may delay take-offs for de-icing. Air travelers
are advised to check with their airlines for flight delays.
Accidents and deathss
Two 16-year-old boys have been found dead in the garage of a home
near Port Angeles. Clallam County deputies say the boys may have died of
carbon monoxide poisoning after refueling a generator that was used
after the power went out.
A 36-year-old man from Vancouver, B.C., died after being separated
from his group while skiing the backcountry at Mount Baker. The ski area
got 8 feet of new snow over the past four days.
A 60-year-old Federal Way man is in critical condition at Seattle’s
Harborview Medical Center after losing his legs Monday night after being
hit by a car that lost control on SR 509.
Power outages and shelterss
An estimated 12,000 Snohomish PUD customers are currently without
power.
The Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Community Church of Smokey
Point in Marysville, Snohomish County. It will be open to help people
without power or alternate heating resources.
Up to 7,500 Puget Sound Energy customers are still without power, and
h undreds of homes remain in the dark as utility crews work to restore
electricity to pockets of homes in Island County.
The City of Seattle is opening additional shelter space for the
homeless in response to the area's dropping temperatures. Tuesday night,
the Rainier Room at Seattle Center will provide overnight shelter for up
to 80 people.
Three other severe-weather shelters also will be open again: The two
regular shelters at City Hall (4th Ave. & James) and the Frye Hotel (for
women, 3rd Ave. & Yesler), and an overflow shelter at the Compass Center
(Washington St. & Alaskan Way).
Keep pets inside
Local shelter managers want pet owners to keep their animals inside
because their fur won’t help in this kind of cold. If you would like to
help protect area pets, the Seattle Animal Shelter is collecting new and
used igloos – specially designed dog houses to help protect pets from
the freezing temperatures.
