Winter Storm Ready

City Hall and most City services are operating as normal today, February 14. The Mercer Island Community and Event Center is also open with regular hours and programming.

The Mercer Island School District is operating on a two-hour delay to allow students, faculty, and staff a safe arrival.

Roads are slick and ice may be hidden. If you need to drive, please slow down, give yourself extra time, and leave plenty of space on the roads.

See something that needs the City’s attention? You can easily report it online using MI-Connect.

The City provides sanding, plowing, and de-icing services on public streets that allow traffic to enter and leave the Island safely when winter weather brings snow and ice.

The City has six plows, three of which have sander units; one truck is used mostly for liquid de-icing.

The top priority is the primary routes that access I-90, schools and the Town Center, and other important arterials. This includes arterials such as Island Crest Way, Gallagher Hill Road, East Mercer Way, West Mercer Way, North Mercer Way, Mercerwood Drive, SE 40th Street, SE 53rd Place, SE 68th Street, 70th Ave SE, and 72nd Ave SE.

In addition to plowing and sanding, crews also apply a pre-treatment of liquid deicer to other arterials located on steep hills and major intersections; this can help prevent minor ice build-up and makes treated streets easier to plow. See Deicing Pre-Treatment Locations Map for more information.

When arterials are safe to travel, crews begin working next on residential streets. Crews also respond to snow and ice situations at the request of Mercer Island Police. Unfortunately, the City does not have the personnel or equipment to clear residential neighborhoods until the main arterials are clear and passable, and must prioritize time and resources.

During major snowstorm events, crews will be focused solely on snow removal for priority routes.

Click on the links below to see the latest maps:

• Snow Removal Priority Streets Map
• Deicing Pre-Treatment Locations Map
• Likely Street Closures Due to Weather Map
• Privately Maintained Roadways Map (i.e. maintenance is not City's responsibility)

To report a snow problem, or request sanding/deicing after a storm, please use the City's online service request portal MI-Connect (or download the app). This pushes requests directly into the workflow queue for City field crews.

Winter driving conditions have arrived and now is a good time to make sure you are prepared!

Whether you are headed to the mountains for some snow-fun or over the mountains to see loved ones, we want to make sure you are ready for the conditions. Follow these tips and tricks to stay safe on the road this winter.

• Know before you go! Check out the forecast and WSDOT road status before you hit the road.
• Wear your seat belt.
• Be prepared to turn back or seek shelter if conditions become bad.
• Keep your windows clear of snow and ice. Do not start off until your windshield is defrosted.
• DRIVE SLOWER and increase your following distance. Do not use cruise control.
• Roadway conditions may vary widely due to sun, shade, or roadway surface. Watch for slick spots especially on bridges, overpasses, and shaded spots.
• If the pavement is snow or ice covered, start slowly and brake gently. Begin braking early when you come to an intersection.
• Be careful after a minor accident. If you do not feel comfortable exiting your vehicle, motion the other driver and drive to the nearest police station, 24-hour store, service station, hospital, or fire station.

When ice, snow or freezing fog is expected in Mercer Island, City crews head out and pre-treat known trouble spots on roads and sidewalks with de-icer, which can help prevent slippery conditions.

During snow cycles, City plow trucks clear and sand arterials, critical intersections, and major access routes on and off the Island, followed by secondary and residential streets when time permits.

All residents can help the City keep roadways clear and prevent accidents:

• Please give snowplow drivers plenty of space and park well away from the road edge
• Drive cautiously (slow, steady, headlights on, cruise control off, plan well ahead)
• Consult the City's plowing, sanding, and deicing pages for more information

Winter driving conditions can vary from day to day. Be prepared at all times, by knowing the road conditions and having an alternate route planned.

When you approach a snowplow from behind, pass with care.

Only pass when you can see the road ahead.

You should not try and pass in blowing snow.

Allow more distance between you and the plow, they may be spreading sand or chemicals.

Slow down and approach with caution. A snowplow may be clearing snow in that lane or preparing to turn around.

Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC) Operations

As deemed necessary by the Chief of Operations, facility operations, services, and/or operating hours may be altered due to inclement weather. Information regarding facility status, services, and programing will be updated as necessary during inclement weather.

Daytime Classes & Programs
Daytime classes and programs hosted by the Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC) - including drop-in programs - are canceled if the Mercer Island School District cancels classes due to severe weather conditions. If the Mercer Island School District is running 2 hours late, classes starting prior to 10:00 am are canceled. A determination about afternoon and evening classes will be made by 12:00 pm. Visit www.schoolreport.org for updates on Mercer Island School District operations.

Make up classes will be rescheduled if possible, if not then a credit will be given for the canceled class. Refer to www.mercerisland.gov/parksrec for information on drop-in programs.

Room Rentals
If the MICEC cancels a room rental due to inclement weather, staff will contact the rental group, providing notice and refund or rescheduling options. Cancelations and/or requests for refunds by rental groups due to inclement weather, despite the MICEC’s ability to operate, must be submitted in writing to Rentals@MercerIsland.gov for review. In the event of a rental cancelation, it will be the renter’s responsibility to communicate changes to their patrons or attendees.

Heating, holiday decorations, winter storms and candles all contribute to an increased risk of fire during the winter months. Keep your home and family safe this winter by following these tips:

Fireplace Safety

The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys. Make sure to check and clean your flues and chimney. A blocked flue will cause smoke to back up into the fire pit and smoke will accumulate in the house. Click here for more from MIFD.

Heating

Heating is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires, deaths and injuries. December, January and February are the peak months for heating fires. Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires, figuring in two of every five fires (40%). Never use an extension cord with a heat-producing appliance.

Carbon Monoxide

Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, etc. do not burn completely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of CO. Carbon monoxide incidents are more common during the winter months, and in residential properties. Install a CO detector and make sure to change batteries twice a year (at the start and ending of Daylight Savings).

Generators

Portable generators are useful during power outages, however, many homeowners are unaware that the improper use of portable generators can be risky. The most common dangers associated with portable generators are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electrical shock or electrocution, and fire hazards. According to a 2013 Consumer Product Safety Commission report, half of the generator-related deaths happened in the four coldest months of the year, November through February, and portable generators were involved in the majority of carbon monoxide deaths involving engine-driven tools. Never use a generator or gas grill inside the home.

Candles

December is the peak time of year for home candle fires; the top two days for home candle fires are Christmas and Christmas Eve. Each year between 2013-2017, an average of 7,900 home candle fires were reported each year. Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.

Electrical

Electrical home fires are a leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Roughly half of all home electrical fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment, while nearly another half involved other known types of equipment like washer or dryer fans, and portable or stationary space heaters. Change your smoke detector's batteries twice a year (at the start and ending of Daylight Savings) and test annually to make sure it is working properly.

Reporting an Outage

The City does not own or manage powerlines. Contact Puget Sound Energy to report power outages and hear about service updates at 1-888-225-5773 or view their outage map (with estimated power restoration times) www.pse.com/outage/outage-map.

Please do not call 9-1-1 for non-emergency questions, such as power outage duration or reasons for the outage.

What to Do During a Power Outage

• Stay away from downed power lines and sagging trees with broken limbs.
• If you encounter downed power lines and no signage or utility crews in the area, call 9-1-1.
• Turn off lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer. (Did you know? A closed refrigerator will stay cold for up to 12 hours.)
• Turn light switches and buttons on lamps or appliances to the “off” position.
• Unplug computers and other sensitive equipment to protect them from possible power surges when the power is restored.
• Leave one lamp on so you will know when power is restored. (Best Practice: Wait at least 15 minutes after power is restored before turning on other appliances.)
• Never use gas ovens, gas ranges, barbecues or portable or propane heaters for indoor heating. They use oxygen and create carbon monoxide that can cause suffocation.
• Use battery-operated flashlights or glow sticks for lighting vs. candles.
• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
• Be a good neighbor. Check on the welfare of others.

Heavy rain not only causes river flooding, but the saturated ground can lead to an increased threat of landslides.

It is important to know how to recognize the warning signs of a landslide and how to respond if a landslide should occur.

Recognize the Warning Signs

Fast-moving landslides:

• Listen and watch for rushing water, mud, and unusual sounds like trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
• A faint rumbling sound that increases in volume is noticeable as the landslide nears.
• Moving fences, retaining walls, utility poles, k-rails, boulders, or trees.

• Changes occur in your landscape such as patterns of storm-water drainage on slopes (especially the places where runoff water converges), land movement, small slides, flows, or progressively leaning trees.
• Doors or windows stick or jam for the first time.
• New cracks appear in plaster, tile, brick, or foundations.
• Outside walls, walks, or stairs begin pulling away from the building.
• Slowly developing, widening cracks appear on the ground or on paved areas such as streets or driveways.
• Bulging ground appears at the base of a slope.
• Water breaks through the ground surface in new locations.
• Fences, retaining walls, utility poles, or trees tilt or move.
• The ground slopes downward in one direction and may begin shifting in that direction under your feet.
• Underground utility lines break.

Did you know that six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away?

Just a few inches can make the difference between crossing the street or getting stuck in the mud.

Don't take that chance!

If you see water over the roadway, turn around.

Mercer Island can be prone to natural hazards including flooding and landslides.

To report a non-life-threatening landslide, call our regional, non-emergency dispatch center (425) 577-5656, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the case of an emergency always call 9-1-1.

What is a Landslide?

Landslides develop during intense rainfall, runoff, or rapid snowmelt, changing the earth into a flowing river of mud. They can flow rapidly, striking with little or no warning at avalanche speeds (faster than a person can run). In a landslide, masses of rock, earth or debris move down a slope. Debris and mud flows are rivers of rock, earth, and other debris saturated with water. Landslides can travel many miles from their source, growing in size as they pick up trees, boulders, cars and other materials. Debris flows don’t always stay in stream channels and they can flow sideways as well as downhill.

Recognize the Warning Signs

City Response

As soon as the City learns of such an event, the City's Building Official travels directly to the affected site to assess the damage firsthand, and determine whether the buildings involved are still safe for occupancy. Unsafe buildings are "red-tagged" and may not be occupied until cleared by a geo-technical engineer, hired by the owner. You can help by making sure storm drains are clear in your neighborhood to help rain water flow away.

• Click here for a City informational handout on landslides and Mercer Island.
• Click here to view the City's landslide hazard map.
• Click here to view the USGS local website monitoring current rainfall and forecasting landslide potential.
• Click here for a factsheet on how landslides occur from the State's Geologic Hazards Program.
  
• Click here for information on how to prepare for disasters and landslides from FEMA.

Updated 1/6/2022