Dec. 21, 2006
Progress continues across county; power outages remain
Although last night's storm was not as strong as originally predicted, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) reports one additional power outage in Black Diamond. Parts of PSE's restored system remain fragile, with permanent repairs coming later. PSE officials are hopeful that nearly all customers who lost power from the windstorm last week will have service by Saturday. Due to exceptional damage, pockets in Duvall and Cottage Lake areas may have to wait until Sunday or longer to turn the lights back on.
As of Thursday morning, 67,000 PSE customers in King County were still without power. About 5,300 Seattle City Light customers remained without electrical service.
As a result of last night's storm, Eastgate Public Health Center has lost power and will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 21. All other Public Health sites and services are open on regular schedule.
King County Road Services continues to work closely with PSE and local utilities to reopen roads as power is restored. There remains 36 road closures around King County. For current road closures, visit www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/roadalert.
Property Damage
To report damage estimates to homes and businesses due to the wind storm, residents and business owners should call the King County Damage Hotline at 800-523-5044. (**Note: This is not the phone number to report a power outage. For PSE power outages call 888-225-5773.) King County will continue taking damage reports from impacted residents and businesses through 5 p.m. Friday Dec. 22nd. King County is collecting the information to provide the State of Washington figures on any future Presidential Disaster Declaration, which could qualify the area for federal funds.
Over the past four days, the King County Disaster Hotline has logged 355 calls from residents reporting damage to their homes or businesses. Damage estimates to date total $8.28 million in structural damage and $1.56 million in personal property damage. Fifteen businesses have reported $397,000 in structural damage and a $532,500 loss in inventory.
Food Safety
Public Health — Seattle & King County urges residents to be wary of food that may spoil in refrigerators and freezers without electricity. Cases of food borne illness often increase after power outages. For more information on safety tips, visit the Public Health –— Seattle & King County Web site, www.metrokc.gov/health/news/06121401.htm.
Shelters
King County, various cities, and the Red Cross have 17 shelters and warming centers for citizens who have been affected by the storm. Shelters can be used during the day to get warm, take showers, recharge cell phones, and to receive food.
As of 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, the special needs shelter run by King County for people with chronic medical conditions is deactivating, with staff on stand-by status if additional support is needed again. Over 40 residents used the facility since its opening last Saturday evening, and all have either returned to their homes or have been placed with other service providers in the community. Public Health will continue to monitor the status of the medically vulnerable during storm recovery, and work with area partners to meet their needs.
Overnight:
- Bethany Bible Church, 6214 N.E. Bothell Way in Kenmore
- Renton Highlands Community Center, 800 N.E. Edmonds St.
- Highland Community Center, 14224 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue (operated by City of Bellevue), meals and snacks.
- Masonic Home, 23660 Marine View Drive S., Des Moines/Federal Way 206-323-2345. Meals and snacks.
- Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave. S., Seattle
- North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave., meals and snacks.
- Vine Church, 16551 N.E. 79th S., Redmond, 425-861-3438.
Day
- Si View Metro Park Warming Shelter, 400 SE Orchard, North Bend, hot snacks, cots/blankets.
- Duvall Church Warming Shelter, 15520 Main St., Duvall, BBQ and movies until Friday. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Auburn Senior Center, 808 Ninth St. S.E. Call 253-931-3016
- Auburn YMCA 1620 Perimeter Road. Call 253-833-2770
- Mercer Island Community Center, Open 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., showers open until 11 p.m. No meals or night shelter.
- King County Aquatic Center (day shelter), Federal Way
- Jewish Community Center (day shelter), 3801 E. Mercer Way, Mercer Island, showers.
- Crossroads Community Center, 16000 N.E. 10th Street, Bellevue (day shelter), snacks and drinks, open until 9 p.m.
- South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 S.E. Newport Way, (day shelter), snacks and drinks, open until 9 p.m.
Closed
- Bellevue Community College (Special Needs Shelter)
- Delridge Community Center
- Carol Edwards Center
- Bitter Lake Community Center
- West Mercer Elementary School Shelter
- Bellevue High School
- Southwest Community Center, Seattle
- Vashon Old Fire Hall
- Presbyterian Church – Vashon
Regional Public Information Network
The Regional Public Information Network (RPIN, at www.rpin.org) has served as the Puget Sound region's source for emergency-related information during the past seven days following last week's wind storm. Since Dec. 14, more than 100 messages have been posted on the RPIN Web site and distributed to RPIN subscribers who can receive the information via e-mail, text page, cell or PDA. Subscriptions to RPIN are free and open to the public and media. Visit www.rpin.org to sign up.
Debris drop-off locations
In King County, tree stumps, limbs and brush can be recycled at one of a number of commercial recycling processors and turned into valuable wood chips or mulch. Visit the Solid Waste Division Web site, www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd, for more details.
Free structural damage inspections
The King County Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) will offer free wind damage structural inspections to citizens in the unincorporated area. Inspections will be conducted within one business day of the request. For more information, visit www.metrokc.gov/ddes.