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Inclement Weather
In Lake Forest Park, winter can bring heavy rain, high winds, snow and ice. The City starts preparing for winter weather in the summer by training staff, preparing equipment and working with local agency partners. The Public Works Department provides a wide variety of services to its citizens, including 24/7 emergency response.
In Case of Inclement Weather
The Public Works Department monitors incoming weather and if it appears that there will be severe inclement weather, the crews are placed on stand-by. In severe weather the crews work 12 hour shifts to insure there is round-the-clock coverage. The response of the crews depends on the type and severity of the weather. When high winds or heavy rain are forecast, our crews are ready to remove the fallen trees from the road. If wires are on the ground, the proper agencies will be contacted. During a snow event crews will continue to work around the clock as long as snow and ice conditions exist.
Quick Links
Emergency Numbers
| Agency | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle City Light | 206-684-7400 | http://www.seattle.gov/light/ |
| Puget Sound Energy | 1-888-225-5773 | http://pse.com/Pages/default.aspx |
| Northshore Utility District | 425-398-4400 | http://www.nud.net/ |
| Republic Services | 425-646-2492 | http://local.republicservices.com/site/washington/lake-forest-park |
| Washington State Department of Transportation | Road Conditions - Call 511 | http://wsdot.com/traffic/Default.aspx |
| King County Metro | 206-287-8463 | http://metro.kingcounty.gov/
Sign up to receive King County Transit Alerts online. |
| Sound Transit Rider Information | 1-888-889-6368 | http://www.soundtransit.org/
Sign up to receive Sound Transit Alerts online. |
To Report Severe Flooding
If localized flooding is severe and you are unable to clear the drain, please call City Hall at 206-368-5440 during business hours or after hours call 206-296-8100.
To Report Icy or Hazardous Road Conditions
To report icy or hazardous conditions during business hours call City Hall at 206-368-5440 or after hours call 425-487-5000.
Report a Spill (Pollution)
According to Washington state law, all hazardous material and oil spills must be reported immediately by the spiller. The sooner we know about an incident, the quicker we can act to try and reduce damages to the environment and protect sensitive natural resources.
Our Public Works crews have spill kits in each of their vehicles and are trained to respond to spills. Crews are on call 24/7 and have a fast response time. Spills may include, but are not limited to, materials such as:
- Business Related (gasoline, diesel, cleaning solution / waste, etc.)
- Construction Site Discharges (sediment and / or chemicals in the stormwater)
- Sewage Leak / Septic Failure
- Vehicle Fluids (oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, fuel, etc.)
- Yard Chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides)
Washington State Department of Ecology - How to Report a Spill
Contact Information
- During Business Hours (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.): 206-368-5440
- After Business Hours 24-hour Hotline: 425-487-5000
Snow Removal
Planning for a winter storm event can be difficult. Each storm event is unique. The Public Works crews of the City of Lake Forest Park are charged with maintaining 112 lane miles of streets during inclement weather. It is our goal to provide a reasonably safe driving condition.
Public Works uses six trucks for treating snow and ice conditions. Four trucks have sanders/spreaders and plows, two trucks have deicers and plows. During a snow and ice event, maintenance crews will switch to two 12-hour shifts to ensure 24-hour coverage.
Snow and ice crews will focus on primary routes first, including arterials, bus routes, and designated emergency routes. Once the primary routes are able to be left in a safe condition, attention will turn to secondary and then to residential streets. Crews will continue to work around the clock as long as snow and ice conditions exist.
Flood Preparation
Reducing the severity and occurrence of flooding in Lake Forest Park is not going to happen overnight. In fact, it may take years or decades. In the mean time, you may want to take steps to prepare for a flood.
Please take this opportunity to prepare for a flood by following these few simple steps:
- Be prepared to evacuate
- Direct water from downspouts at least 10 feet away from your home
- Do not walk or drive in standing water
- Prepare sandbags
- Remove leaves and debris from storm drains
- Store household chemicals and valuables above flood levels
Do not rely on the sandbags provided by the City of Lake Forest Park or other public agencies. For additional information please go to King County How to Prepare for Flooding.
Sandbag Depots
The City of Lake Forest Park has sandbag depots at strategic locations throughout the city for the use by residents in the event there is a flood. The sandbags are for emergencies only, please do not take them unless a flood is imminent and your property is in danger.
Do not rely on the sandbags provided by the city as your only flood mitigation strategy. The emergency sandbags will be available October - May each year, but you should also purchase or build your own stock of sandbags if your property is in an area that floods.
Sandbag Usage and Notification
Please notify the City of Lake Forest Park if you are interested in using the emergency sandbags. In your notification please provide your name, address, contact phone number, the location that the sandbags were taken from, and the number of sandbags taken. Notify City Hall by phone at 206-368-5440.