The 2010-2011 winter is expected to be wetter, colder and more stormy than the norm. We encourage all residents to get prepared and stay informed when bad weather or emergencies hit this winter. This includes rain, snow, ice and wind storms, and disasters. Please take time to review the information provided through the links below.
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Plan Ahead
- Identify the best snow route home with the fewest hills possible
- Familiarize yourself with school, daycare and employer snow policies
- Use transit whenever possible
- Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlight at home in case the power fails
Winterize your vehicle
- Keep your gas tank at least 3/4 full
- Store blankets, a bag of sand (or cat litter), shovel, window scraper, flares, and warm clothes in the trunk
- Make sure you have the right sized tire chains in your vehicle — and learn how to put them on!
When a snow storm strikes
- Drive only if necessary!
- City crews highest priority is to keep the arterials clear. Once the primary arterials are clear and stable, resources will move on to the secondary arterials, collectors, and then lastly to the residential streets.
- If you must abandon your vehicle, pull as far off the road as possible. Abandoned vehicles make the job of clearing snow and ice from roads nearly impossible and can create problems for other motorists
Other Useful Winter Preparation Websites
Snow and Ice in Sammamish - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the city do to prepare for winter weather?
A: Sammamish’s Public Works Department, which is responsible for clearing roads of snow and ice, has 5 trucks that can be configured with plows and sanders or de-icers. During a major storm, up to 5 employees at a time work in two 12-hour shifts, around-the-clock, with help from other departments. Also, as conditions require, the Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District assists with snow removal by providing an additional vehicle and driver.
Q: Does the city use anti-icers or de-icers? Are they bad for the environment?
A: When conditions warrant before a snowstorm, the Public Works Department sprays the streets with a calcium chloride-based liquid anti-icer that prevents ice from adhering to the pavement. If snow or ice does build up on streets, a solid de-icer containing calcium chloride (synthetic salt) is mixed into the sand.
Q: What’s the city’s policy on clearing streets of ice and snow?
A: During conditions of ice and snow, the city strives to provide passable routes for emergency, commercial, and private vehicles on the city’s public roads. Passable means that someone with the appropriate equipment, driving ability and judgment, traveling at an appropriate speed, can travel on the street once it’s been serviced. Using a “priority response system,” arterials and neighborhood connector streets receive all snow removal resources until clear and stable. After that, secondary and residential streets are serviced.
Q: What should I do to prepare for snow and ice in Sammamish?
A: Sign up for the City’s Traffic Alerts (link on the City website). Learn the priority response plan prior to the snow season to learn the best route to take when there are ice or snow conditions. When bad weather is in the forecast, plan ahead. Before leaving home, prepare your vehicle and allow extra time to reach your destination. Check to make sure you have the proper emergency equipment, test new chains for proper fit before the first snow and take a charged cell phone if you have one. Before bad weather sets in, find a less hilly route home, if possible, even if it takes longer. When it comes to driving on snow and ice, the shortest route isn’t always the fastest.
Q: What tips can you give me about driving on ice and snow?
A: The faster you're going, the longer it will take to stop, so give yourself plenty of room. Winter conditions call for more gradual acceleration, slower speeds, slower steering and slower braking. Never slam the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't, gently pump the pedal. Also, increase your following distance, turn on your headlights and slow down when approaching bridges, intersections and shady spots, which can develop black ice that may be difficult to see. Do not drive around “Road Closed” signs or barricades.
Q: Why does it sometimes take so long to clear the streets of ice and snow?
A: Normally, the city’s resources are enough to clear streets efficiently after snow or ice accumulates. Main arterials and neighborhood collector routes are the top priority and are cleared first to accommodate emergency vehicles, as well as transit, school buses, and commuter traffic. During a city-wide event, however, the available resources must be used to service a much larger area. When that happens, even priority routes may receive limited attention and residential streets may not get cleared until after the storm has passed.
Q: I live on a steep street. Why don’t city crews clear it after it snows?
A: Sometimes, it’s not safe for the city’s large snow-clearing equipment to venture onto steep, residential streets. At other times, it may be a matter of priority. Steeper, less traveled streets go uncleared in favor of arterials that serve the greatest number of people.
Q: What are snow response priorities?
A: Sammamish has a priority ranking for snow removal. The highest priority is keeping the primary arterial roadways (228th Avenue/Sahalee Way and Issaquah Pine-Lake Road) clear and passable. After these roadways are cleared, crews move to the next highest priority.
Q: Why does the city close roads after a snowfall?
A: Sammamish does not automatically close roads, but some streets may need to be closed for safety reasons due to specific circumstances. Sometimes roads have to be closed to traffic temporarily while snowplows service them. Closure decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What should I do if I must park and leave my car?
A: Police recommend you make every attempt to move your vehicle completely off the roadway; parallel park as close to the curb as possible if you must park on the road; don’t park sideways on the road or in an intersection. If you must park your car, leave your phone number visible on the dashboard. Abandoned vehicles in the road will be towed as soon as possible. To avoid being impounded, return to your vehicle as soon as practical.
Q: Where can I get more information about winter driving?
A: Visit the state Department of Transportation’s Winter Travel web page at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter which provides further information and tips.
For Questions or additional information, please contact the Public Works Department at 425-295-0565.