Eastside Fire & Rescue reminds motorists to prepare for icy roads
December 7, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 7, 2011
The cold is causing a challenge for motorists as ice forms on roads and Eastside Fire & Rescue crews respond to motorists crashing, spinning out or landing in ditches.
The conditions make for icy and slick roads across the emergency response agency’s service area. EFR serves Issaquah, Sammamish and North Bend, plus areas in unincorporated King County.
EFR reminds motorists to learn how to navigate and maneuver in inclement weather conditions, such as snow and ice. Driving safely by slowing down under these conditions is essential to staying safe behind the wheel. The agency recommends the following safety tips:
- If cars behind you tailgate during bad weather conditions, pull over and let them pass.
- Having a front-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle is not a guarantee it can handle icy roads.
- Avoid using cruise control if driving on icy roads.
- Stay alert, and refrain from talking on a cellphone while driving, even with a hands-free device.
- Slow down and allow some distance between you and the car in front of you.
- Always wear a seat belt.
- Most of all, if you do not have to be out in the elements, stay home.
Use caution on roads as soggy conditions continue
November 23, 2011
NEW — 4 p.m. Nov. 23, 2011
Rain is expected to continue on Thanksgiving and through the holiday weekend.
King County Road Services Division officials reminded motorists to watch for road closures due to flooding or blockages. Motorists should use caution on the road, and monitor the latest road closure information before heading out. Never drive around barricades or through standing water.
King County remains under a flood watch as officials monitor flood-prone rivers. Issaquah Creek flooding is not expected to occur.
National Weather Service meteorologists said rain is expected during the day on Thanksgiving and Friday. Black Friday shoppers can encounter soggy conditions before 10 a.m.
More rain is in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
Issaquah residents urged to prepare amid King County flood watch
November 21, 2011
NEW — 5 p.m. Nov. 21, 2011
King County is under a flood watch as a precipitation-laden system barrels into Western Washington, and Issaquah residents should prepare for localized flooding as rain and wind pelt the area.
The flood watch is in effect until through late Wednesday night. Expect 2 to 4 inches of rainfall Monday night and Tuesday as the snow level rises to about 6,000 feet, and then another 1 to 3 inches Tuesday night and Wednesday as the snow level gradually dips to about 3,000 feet.
National Weather Service meteorologists in Seattle said any flooding related to the system is expected to be minor.
In addition, a wind advisory is in effect through noon Tuesday.
Bret Heath, city Public Works Operations and emergency management director, said leaves dislodged from trees by rain and wind could also clog storm drains and lead to flooding along city streets.
Issaquah Creek flooding is not expected to pose a major problem in the days ahead.
Snow is forecast for Issaquah, but accumulation is not
November 17, 2011
NEW — 7 p.m. Nov. 17, 2011
Temperatures in the low 30s and a drop in the snow level mean snow is possible overnight Thursday in the Issaquah area.
National Weather Service meteorologists in Seattle said rain should continue overnight and then possibly turn to snow in the early morning hours. The snow level is also expected to dip to 900 feet overnight.
(The summit of Tiger Mountain is 3,004 feet above sea level and the Issaquah Highlands start at about 500 feet above sea level.)
Forecasters expect little or no snow accumulation Thursday and Friday.
Expect snow and rain Friday morning, although the precipitation is expected to turn rain only after 10 a.m. Forecasters said the snow level should dip to 400 feet Friday night.
Expect cold temperatures and, maybe, snowfall
November 16, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. Nov. 16, 2011
Expect blustery, soggy conditions throughout Wednesday and, perhaps, snow in the days ahead.
National Weather Service meteorologists in Seattle predict winds between 16 and 24 mph in the Issaquah area during the day and into the night.
Meanwhile, expect a soaking as a low-pressure system moves from the Gulf of Alaska into the Pacific Northwest.
Come Friday night, as the snow level dips from 1,000 feet to 300 feet and low temperatures fall into the upper 20s, lowland residents in the Issaquah area could see snowflakes. (The summit of Tiger Mountain is 3,004 feet above sea level and the Issaquah Highlands start at about 500 feet above sea level.)
Meteorologists said little or no accumulation is expected.
Tiger Mountain burn ban expires as temperatures drop
October 4, 2011
The state Department of Natural Resources’ burn ban for Tiger Mountain State Forest and other public forestlands ended Oct. 1, as rainfall and cooler temperatures reduced the wildfire risk.
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center said the October outlook calls for near-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation.
Though the statewide burn ban expired, some areas remain dry, and people should follow the conditions for burning permits. Call 1-800-323-BURN toll free to find local burning restrictions.
The state agency ordered the ban July 1 to reduce wildfires caused by escaped debris burns and recreational fires on forestland.
Salmon Days Festival returns to downtown Issaquah
October 1, 2011
Girl Scout Troop 42127 members ride on a flatbed truck decorated with salmon Saturday during the annual Salmon Days Festival Grande Parade. By Greg Farrar
UPDATED — 12:50 p.m. Oct. 1, 2011
The ode to salmon migration, Issaquah’s iconic Salmon Days Festival, returns to downtown Issaquah on Saturday.
The festival is expected to lure more than 100,000 attendees to the city Saturday and Sunday for a parade, carnival games, street snacks, arts and crafts, and, of course, a chance to see migrating chinook in Issaquah Creek.
National Weather Service changes flood warnings for Issaquah
September 24, 2011
NEW — 11 a.m. Sept. 24, 2011
Less than a year after conflicting flood information confused Issaquah residents during a December deluge, the National Weather Service plans to adjust flood warning levels for Issaquah Creek.
The agency plans to base flood warnings on the creek’s flow, rather than height. The agency plans to make the adjustments Oct. 1.
The switch is meant to avoid confusion between National Weather Service data and the city’s flood warning system.
The city bases warnings on real-time data from a gauge upstream from Issaquah in Hobart. The system can usually provide a few hours of lead time before flooding impacts Issaquah.
The data collected by the National Weather Service comes from a downstream gauge near the creek mouth in Lake Sammamish State Park.
Issaquah area experiences uptick in brush fires despite wetter weather
July 19, 2011
Just through observation, it’s easy to see the Issaquah area has received more rain in 2011 than its usual amount.
Defensible space practices
|
What may have gone unnoticed by locals, however, is an unexpected uptick in brush fires. Fire officials want to ensure residents remain vigilant throughout the summer, despite the rain statistics.
“This year, we are experiencing cooler, wetter conditions, but these conditions can still pose a risk and potential concern in many of our neighborhoods and communities,” said Josie Williams, Eastside Fire & Rescue public information officer.
Last year, Issaquah received 21.11 inches of rain through July 14, according to National Weather Service statistics. This year, that number is up to 22.32 inches.
However, after a recent weekend when there were three brush fires, Williams looked up EFR’s records and found something interesting — in the two-week period July 1-14, there were 25 brush fires in 2010 and despite the additional 1 1/4 inches of rain, there have been 28 brush fires in 2011.
Williams said the fires have mostly been small blazes along highways, roadways, neighborhood greenbelts and park settings. Additionally, because damage has been kept to a minimum, she cannot say what the cause was in most cases.
“An investigator isn’t even called in unless damage is more than $10,000,” she said.
However, she said as school is released for the summer, EFR sees an increase in brush fires, indicating the likely culprits are unsupervised children.
“I also find disturbing that I’m still hearing fireworks going off,” Williams said. “Too many people are probably thinking, ‘It’s been wet. It’s no big deal.’”
She said the big deal is it is illegal to set off fireworks, even in unincorporated areas, after July 4. Also, it was fireworks that led to a big scare for Carnation in 2003. Fireworks set a conflagration on a ridge above several neighborhoods that left EFR nearly calling for state mobilization before the blaze was finally contained with minimal damage.
In the wake of the increased fire activity, Williams said it is the perfect time for homeowners to re-examine their properties for any actions they can take to reduce the risk of fire damage.
Homeowners can take simple steps, like stacking wood away from the house, trimming low-hanging branches and reroofing using composite shingles versus the more flammable shake material.
Finally, Williams said people should consider developing a community wildfire protection plan with their neighbors. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/forestry/forestfire.aspx or www.firewise.org.
David Hayes: 392-6434, ext. 237; dhayes@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.
April showers bring wintry mix before May flowers
April 27, 2011
NEW — 7:15 p.m. April 27, 2011
Issaquah Highlands residents reported wintry mix pelting the neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, as a springtime front rolled into the region.
National Weather Service meteorologists issued a hazardous weather outlook for the Western Washington interior lowlands. The potential for snow also re-enters the forecast Wednesday night.
The snow level is expected to plummet to near 500 feet late Wednesday behind a vigorous front. Forecasters said the potential exists for a dusting or up to 1 inch of snow in places higher than 500 feet. The snow should not stick to roads or pose a problem for motorists.
Meteorologists expect the air mass should become unstable on Thursday, creating the potential for isolated thunderstorms and hail. Stronger thunderstorms could produce dime-size hail or large quantities of hail on the ground.
