MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle mayor signs emergency proclamation ahead of cold weather

Dec 24, 2021, 5:42 PM | Updated: Dec 25, 2021, 7:52 am

Seattle, snow, cold...

Snow at Kerry Park in Seattle in February 2021. (Brent Stecker)

(Brent Stecker)

As Western Washington is anticipating snow and extremely cold temperatures over the next several days, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has signed an emergency proclamation.

With ‘rare’ cold snap forecasted, Seattle opens warming centers, prepares 24/7 road crews

The National Weather Service is predicting “dangerously cold temperatures with high struggling to reach freezing beginning Sunday through Wednesday.” Snow is also expected starting Dec. 25.

“After a year of unprecedented challenges, Seattle is facing a long duration of dangerously cold temperatures and snow. At the City, our city employees are starting 24/7 shifts to prepare for ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. For this winter weather emergency, our crews and employees are available to keep our community safe and warm, but if you don’t need to travel or gather, please don’t as we’re facing dual emergencies of COVID-19 and freezing temperatures,” Mayor Durkan said in a written release.

The mayor also signed an emergency order to provide incentives of at least $150 for frontline workers and human service providers who will work in person and staff emergency shelters and warming centers over the holidays, and amid a surge of COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant.

Forecasters agree snow is coming to the Seattle area, but when?

In addition to two previously announced shelters and warming centers, the city is opening centers at Seattle City Hall, International District/Chinatown Community Center, Magnuson Building #406, Northgate Community Center, and Rainier Beach Community Center.

Find an update on city operations here.

MyNorthwest News

world cup hotel bookings...

Tom Brock

Unauthorized parachutists caught on video jumping from Space Needle

Tourists at Seattle's Space Needle got a little more than the view they expected Friday, when two men parachuted off the iconic structure's Observation Deck.

47 minutes ago

courthouse escapee snohomish county...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Deputies looking for Snohomish County courthouse escapee

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a 39-year-old who escaped the courthouse Friday afternoon when a judge told him he would be taken into custody.

6 hours ago

plane crash san juan islands...

Lexi Herda, KIRO 7 News

All but 3 passengers released from hospital after floatplane crash in San Juan Islands

All but three people have been released from the hospital after their floatplane crashed in the San Juan Islands on Thursday.

7 hours ago

Parkinson's...

Luke Duecy

‘It’s going to come quicker than we think’: Parkinson’s advocate shares hope for treatment as Allen Institute launches AI-powered initiative

When Lisa Volenec was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, she struggled to accept a future shaped by a neurological disorder with no cure.

9 hours ago

pho restaurant...

MyNorthwest Staff

Beloved pho restaurant closing on Bainbridge Island after nearly 20 years

A pho restaurant that has served the Bainbridge Island community for nearly two decades is closing its doors as its owner has decided to retire.

20 hours ago

whatcom county...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Whatcom County man found to have died from a blow to the head

Cole Hilton was found unconscious with a blow to the head on the side of the road in Whatcom County.

21 hours ago

Seattle mayor signs emergency proclamation ahead of cold weather