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Updated King County weather response efforts and holiday closures
Summary
Today King County Executive Dow Constantine visited the Vashon Island Emergency Operations Center, an adjacent warming center, and also met with local responders and volunteers working to restore power and other services to Vashon/Maury Island communities. Power should be restored by this evening to all but a small handful of residents on the island and warming centers are standing by to accommodate anyone who is still without power.
Story
Today King County Executive Dow Constantine visited the Vashon Island Emergency Operations Center, an adjacent warming center, and also met with local responders and volunteers working to restore power and other services to Vashon/Maury Island communities. Power should be restored by this evening to all but a small handful of residents on the island and warming centers are standing by to accommodate anyone who is still without power.Although weather and road conditions are gradually improving, temperatures will still be cold this evening. Please note the following safety tips and holiday closures:
Thanksgiving schedule:
King County government offices are closed Thursday, Nov. 25th and Friday, Nov. 26th. All offices will be back on a normal operating schedule Monday, Nov. 29th. On Thursday, Nov. 25, Metro buses operate on Sunday schedule. For Friday changes and other transit holiday information, please see our Holiday Transit Service page at: https://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/holiday-service.htm.
Transfer stations will be closed on Thanksgiving day – Thursday, Nov. 25th, but will reopen for normal business on Friday, November 26th. For garbage collection information, please contact your hauler for details.
Beware of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:
Although the region is steadily recovering, temperatures are still projected to very cold. We know that when the power is out for extended periods or when temperatures become very cold, the risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning goes up. Protect yourself and your family by taking precautions:
- During a power outage or at any other time, do not operate fuel-powered machinery such as a generator indoors, including the garage. Keep your generator away from open windows or vents while it is running.
- Do not cook or heat with charcoal barbeques inside your home.
- Avoid combustion "space heaters" unless there is an exhaust vent.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can strike suddenly and without warning. In some cases, physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include severe headache, nausea and vomiting, and lethargy and fatigue. If you believe you could be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Call for medical help from a neighbor's home. The Fire Department will tell you when it is safe to re-enter the home.
For a full list of carbon monoxide prevention tips and other safety and disaster information in English and other languages, visit: https://kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/disaster.aspx
If power goes out where you live, keep food safe:
Keep the doors closed on your refrigerators and freezers as much as possible. This keeps the cold air inside. A full freezer can stay at freezing temperatures about two days; a half-full freezer about 1 day.
If you think the power will be out for several days, try to find some ice to pack inside your refrigerator. Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods. Refrigerated foods should be safe as long as the power is out no more than a few hours and the refrigerator/freezer doors have been kept closed. Throw away potentially hazardous foods (such as meat and fish) if they warm up above 41º F.
Frozen foods that remain frozen are OK to eat. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed (such as meat and fish), but are still cold or have ice crystals on them, you should use them as soon as possible. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed and are warmer than 41º F, you should throw them away.
Warming Facilities Throughout King County:
Warming centers are available throughout King County. Facility locations are as follows:
King County Winter Shelters (nightly, all winter)
YWCA Angeline’s Center for Homeless Women
2030 3rd Avenue Belltown (between Lenora & Virginia)
9:30 p.m. - 5:30 a.m.
Capacity: 40
Serves women only
County Administrative Building
500 4th Avenue, Seattle
Hours of operation: 9:30 p.m. - 5:30 a.m.
Capacity: 50
Serves men only
Seattle
Warming Centers:
Family and Adult Service Center (daytime)
2015 3rd Avenue
Seattle
The Seattle Center House (daytime)
Overnight:
City Hall (through November 25)
Located on 4th Avenue between James and Cherry Streets
Seattle, WA
Doors open at 9:00 p.m.
Capacity: 75
Serves men, women and families
Frye Hotel (through November 25)
Located on 3rd and Yesler
Seattle, WA
Open at 8:00 p.m.
Capacity: 25
Serves only women
Seattle Center - Pavilion B (through November 25)
Located next to Key Arena - use east entrance
Opens at 9 p.m.
Capacity 100
Serves men and women
Auburn
Les Gove Park
1020 Deals Way, Auburn
Hours: 8 p.m. - 8 a.m.
Capacity: 20+
Men and women
In cooperation with Auburn Food Bank
Bellevue
Crossroads Community Center (through today)
16000 NE 10th St.
Bellevue, WA
Hours of operation: 8:30 p.m. - 7:30 a.m.
Capacity: 50
Serves men, women and families
Federal Way
New Hope Christian Fellowship Church (through Thursday morning)
31411 6th Ave S
Federal Way
Open 24 hrs
Capacity: 25/expandable
Men and Women
Kent
Kent Lutheran Church (through today)
336 2nd Avenue South
Kent, WA 98032-5849
Hours: 9 p.m. – 7 a.m.
Capacity: 50
Priority is given to homeless families with children, also available for single women and men
Operated by Catholic Community Services staff and volunteers
Renton
Renton Community Center (daytime warming)
6 a.m. - 10 p.m.
1715 SE Maple Valley Hwy.
Renton
Vashon Island
Penny Farcy Fire Training Center
10019 SW Bank Rd
Vashon Island
Open 5pm
Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit (if needed)
15420 Vashon Hwy SW
Vashon Island
