As 2021 comes to an end, it is still clear that Seattle continues to face unprecedented challenges. In the coming days, our city employees are preparing to respond to some extreme cold weather and freezing temperatures.
As of Thursday, December 23, forecasts from the National Weather Service have projected that Seattle will experience the coldest temperatures of the season so far, with extreme cold temperatures predicted to last into the New Year. Temperatures could reach single digits next week. Forecasts also predict a very good chance that Seattle will experience snowfall starting this weekend, with at least 2 inches of accumulation possible through the weekend.
While current forecasts do not indicate heavy snowfall in Seattle, the extreme cold temperatures will present a risk of icy conditions. I want to remind residents and business owners, that they are responsible for sidewalks adjacent to their own property and are encouraged to salt and shovel their properties to ensure they remain safe and accessible. I also want to encourage all residents and workers to postpone road travel whenever possible, and exercise extreme caution if you choose to drive.
The City, our departments, and partners are working hard to prepare accordingly. We are also working hard to bring online additional warming centers beginning Monday, December 27. For the most up to date information, you can visit my blog.
 |
In the event of extreme winter weather and snow, there are five key things we need you to do:
-
Stay informed: Be sure to check the National Weather Service for updates, and sign up for AlertSeattle for emergency notifications.
-
Shovel and salt your sidewalks: It’s your responsibility to make sure the sidewalk in front of your home or business is safe and accessible. It’s not only the law – it's just the right thing to do so that everyone can travel safely during a snow storm, especially people who are blind, disabled, or have a harder time getting around.
-
Don’t drive unless you absolutely have to: Driving during a storm is dangerous – please avoid driving, and choose to take public transit whenever possible. If you have to drive, check out these tips on how to stay safe.
-
Check on your neighbors: Make sure your neighbors have everything they need to be prepared for a storm, and if they’re older or disabled, be a good neighbor and offer to help get supplies, and shovel their sidewalk.
-
Get prepared: Make sure your emergency kit is up-to-date, and make sure you have a plan in the event of a power outage.
The City of Seattle is closely monitoring impacts to services ahead of expected winter storms that will bring cold temperatures and potential snowfall through this weekend.
Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced this week that she will veto Council Bill 120119, which ends hazard pay for grocery workers in January 2022. Over the last week, there has been an increase of 143% in cases compared to the previous week. In the coming week, Seattle and King County are expected to have the highest one-day case count over the course of the entire pandemic.
“Now is not the time to roll back the pay for these critical front-line workers. These last two years in the pandemic have taken a toll on every person, family, and business in our city, but at every turn Seattle has risen to the challenge by taking steps to protect each other, even when it was hard. In a time that there are no good choices, there are decisions we can make to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of our residents, and hazard pay is one of the key city policies that have supported workers who have supported all of us. These extraordinary times have required unprecedented actions: from closed businesses and schools, to one of the first in the country eviction moratoriums, small business and rent relief, masks mandates, vaccine requirements for businesses and city employees – none of these decisions are easy but they are right for workers and residents,” said Mayor Durkan. “This summer, I asked Council to not lift hazard pay for grocery workers as Delta was emerging, and now as Omicron is newly emerging, one of my last actions as Mayor will be to protect this critical pay for our frontline workers.”
 |
In anticipation of increasing low temperatures and potential snow over the coming days, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD), will open emergency Severe Weather Shelters from Saturday, December 25th through Wednesday, December 29th. Forecasts will be monitored to assess emergency shelter needs for people experiencing homelessness beyond the morning of Thursday the 30th.
The shelters, located at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and Compass Housing Alliance Shelter in Pioneer Square, will open nightly at 7pm starting December 25th. They will continue operations through Wednesday, December 29th, providing an additional 180 – 200 emergency shelter spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The City’s HOPE Team, working in coordination with a broad network of outreach partners over the coming days, will conduct outreach to community members about shelter options. Outreach coordination includes helping people connect with transportation shelter locations, which accept people throughout the night until they reach capacity. City staff are working with the YWCA and Mary’s Place to coordinate sheltering of families with children, and youth shelters have existing capacity for guests. Additionally, case management services for high-risk Aging and Disability Services clients are ongoing.
A variety of public spaces like Seattle Public Libraries and the Seattle Center Armory are available for all community members to come inside during the day with the exception of Saturday, December 25. Compass Housing Alliance operates a day center at the same Pioneer Square location providing night shelter.
-
Additional day centers, which are existing programs that are open year-round to support people experiencing homelessness, including during severe weather response, are on the King County Homelessness Authority guide and City’s Hygiene Map which can be filter to show locations across the city.
-
The City is working with FAS and SPR to bring online additional warming centers.
 |
SDOT snow plows at the ready to respond to winter storms. Photo credit: SDOT.
As City workers prepare for snow, we are asking the public to help get ready. You can:
The City of Seattle in partnership with several nonprofit organizations has provided 5,257 individuals and 4,135 households with direct cash assistance through its Seattle Relief Fund. This fund was created to support vulnerable income-eligible Seattle residents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the Omicron variant now here in King County, we know that COVID-19 is far from done with us, which is why we continue to launch programs to aid residents, households, and small businesses that continue to feel the impacts from this pandemic,” said Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. “Nearly 50 community organizations focused on equitably outreach for both in-person and over-the-phone to help thousands apply for this crucial funding
 |
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads around the country and in King County, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan urged Seattle residents to get boosted, wear masks, and get tested at the first sign of possible exposure. At our partner sites, hours and locations have been expanded to meet testing demand. In addition, Mayor Durkan announced the Rainier Beach and West Seattle vaccination clinics will remain open for boosters and vaccinations into January 2022.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Wednesday she will veto a bill that would end hazard pay for grocery store workers.
Durkan cited increasing COVID-19 cases as a reason for vetoing the legislation, adding, “now is not the time to roll back the pay for these critical front-line workers.”
Seattle City Council approved Council Bill 120119 last week. The legislation would end the additional $4 an hour in hazard pay for grocery workers in January 2022.
Durkan’s office said there has been a 143% increase in COVID-19 cases over the past week compared to the previous week, and that “Seattle and King County are expected to have the highest one-day case count over the course of the entire pandemic” in the coming week.
“In a time that there are no good choices, there are decisions we can make to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of our residents, and hazard pay is one of the key city policies that have supported workers who have supported all of us,” Durkan said in a statement Wednesday.
The city of Seattle enacted an ordinance requiring grocery businesses to provide employees with pay for work performed during the COVID-19 pandemic on Feb. 3. The additional pay was intended to compensate grocery employees for the risks of working on the frontlines and improve their financial stability to stay safe and encourage them to continue working.
The ordinance, unanimously approved by the Seattle City Council and signed into law by Durkan, requires stores within city limits with at least 500 employees to pay frontline grocery workers an additional $4 an hour in hazard pay.
“This summer, I asked [Seattle City Council] to not lift hazard pay for grocery workers as delta was emerging, and now as omicron is newly emerging, one of my last actions as mayor will be to protect this critical pay for our frontline workers,” said Durkan.
Durkan is expected to formally veto the bill on Dec. 27.
|
