January 2012 Snow Event

Weather Conditions

No additional snow or freezing temperatures are predicted at this time. No flooding is forecasted for the Puyallup River, although ponding water in local areas is expected. Citizen can help prevent localized flooding by keeping drains, downspouts, and ditches clear of snow and debris.

Notices & Information Updates

• Update 2:18 p.m., 1/23: There is one remaining street closure in the City of Puyallup: 19th Avenue SE (200 Block) remains closed due to a low-hanging communications line.
• Update 12:11 p.m., 1/23: If you have branches and other storm debris that won't fit in your yard waste bin, you can dispose of it for free. See storm debris drop-off locations. City staff are working with DM Disposal to establish a convenient drop-off site locally for Puyallup residents as well, and more information will be release as soon as it is available.
• Woodbine Cemetery is closed due to hazardous tree conditions.
• With power restored to a vast majority of Pierce County residents, the warming centers and shelters have been closed. More information.
• Update 8:18 a.m., 1/23: Until further notice, all Parks remain closed except Pioneer, Grayland, Sam Peach, and Puyallup Recreation Center. Inclement weather has resulted in hazardous tree conditions that will require extensive assessment and clean up. Riverwalk Trail is also closed.
• Update 5:44 p.m., 1/22: Many streets have been reopened. The following remain closed until power line repairs can be made:
  
  • 19th Avenue SE - 200 Block remains closed
  • 19th Avenue SW - intersection of 6th St SW remains closed
• More than 250 power line crews are in the region to repair damages to the electric system and bring power back on. An updated power restoration schedule and more information are available here.
• Update 1:41 p.m., 1/22: Many streets have been reopened. The following remain closed until power line repairs can be made:
  
  • E Pioneer - 33rd Street SE to City Limits remains closed (Anticipate opening by tonight)
  • 19th Avenue SE - 200 Block remains closed
  • 19th Avenue SW - intersection of 6th Street SW remains closed
• Update 7:56 p.m., 1/21: The following roads that continue to be closed due to power lines:
  
  • Shaw Road – 12th Avenue SE to 23rd Avenue SE
  • E Pioneer – 33rd Street SE to City Limits
  • 23rd Avenue SE – Meridian to 7th Street SE
  • 16th Avenue SE – between Shaw Road and 28th Street SE
  • 19th Avenue SE – 200 block
  • 19th Avenue SW – intersection of 6th Street SW
• Puget Sound Energy has released a restoration schedule and more information on their real-time updates page.
• Update 11:32 a.m., 1/21: Puget Sound Energy efforts have restored power to a majority of their Puyallup customers. Spot outages are still impacting small pockets of homes and businesses. Public Works is working cooperatively with PSE to clear downed powerlines and trees from Shaw Road. PSE customers who remain without power may not have electricity restored until Monday or Tuesday. Due to widespread power restoration in our area, demand for emergency shelter has declined dramatically.

The following roadways are closed due to low-hanging or fallen power lines:

• Shaw Road – 12th Avenue SE to 23rd Avenue SE
• E Pioneer – 33rd Street SE to City Limits
• 23rd Avenue SE – Meridian to 7th Street SE
• 15th Avenue SW – between 9th Street SW and 12th Street SW
• 16th Avenue SE – between Shaw Road and 28th Street SE
• 19th Avenue SE – 200 block
• 19th Avenue SW – intersection of 6th Street SW
• 7th Street SW – 15th Avenue SW to 16th Avenue Court SW

Further Updates

• Update 1:32 p.m., 1/20: All City parks are closed through the weekend due to hazardous trees created by the snow and ice storm.
• Residents and business owners in Pierce County that suffered damage are being asked to report it to the Pierce County Damage Assessment Center at 1-866-798-6363. This information will be used to request federal disaster assistance. More information on reporting damages.
• Update 8:32 a.m., 1/20: City Crews have closed the following roads for public safety: Shaw Road – 12th Ave SE to 23rd Ave SE 23rd Ave SE – Meridian to 7th St SE 31st Ave SE – between 13th St & 17th St SE 15th Ave SW – between 9th St SW & 12th St SW 16th Ave SE – between Shaw Road & 28th St SE
• Update 7:09 a.m., 1/20: City Offices are closed today, but essential services (Police and Streets Maintenance) continue 24 hours/day. Garbage service is cancelled today. More information from DM Disposal. Widespread power outages are impacting Pierce County. Puget Sound Energy has been able to restore service in many areas, but they are advising customers with outages to prepare for 1-2 days without power. More info from PSE.
• Update 5:35 p.m., 1/19: All City Offices will be closed on 1/20, but essential services such as police, plowing, sanding, and de-icing will continue. In addition to removing downed and drooping trees, Public Works has spread about 100 tons of sand & used 120 tons of salt to improve road conditions. Streets crews will continue to work 24-hours a day to clear travel ways. Closed portions of 15th Ave SE and Highlands Drive near Shaw Road are expected to reopen within 24-hours. Residents have been asked to help prevent urban flooding by clearing storm drains, down spouts, and ditches of snow and debris.
• Update 12:13 p.m., 1/19: Widespread power outages are impacting Pierce County. Although they have requested help from an additional 140 power crews from other regions, Puget Sound Energy has reported that it may take multiple days to get all customers' electricity restored. Emergency shelter remains available from the cold at Puyallup Nazarene Church.
• Update 8:15 a.m., 1/19: All city offices are closed today due to power outage and icy conditions. Essential services (Police, Plowing, De-icing) are still in place for public safety.
• Update 3:52 p.m., 1/18: City of Puyallup Street Maintenance crews have primary routes cleared & are plowing some secondary roads now. They will be applying additional de-icer as temps begin to drop. Portions of 15th Ave SE and Highlands Drive remain closed.
• Update 3:04 p.m., 1/18: All non-essential city services are now closed for the day. The Municipal Court is scheduled to reopen tomorrow, 1/19.
• Update 1:25 p.m., 1/18: As the snowfall begins to subside, Pierce County Emergency Management cautions that downed power lines and trees leaning on power lines may pose a significant danger to people. By taking some simple precautions residents can avoid the dangers of downed power lines and trees. See tips for dealing with downed power lines.
• MultiCare will be closing primary care and specialty clinics; however Good Samaritan Hospital and Urgent Care Clinics will remain open.
• Update 12:20 p.m., 1/18: Wildwood Park is closed due to weather impacts.
• Update 11:26 a.m., 1/18: The awning of a retail building has collapsed & covered the sidewalk in the 100 block of South Meridian. Pedestrians, please use caution. Those with awnings are advised to remove snow if there is any possibility of collapse.
• Update 10:57 a.m., 1/18: City Hall will close at 3pm today.
• Update 8:47 a.m., 1/18: Puyallup Nazarene Church (1026 7th Avenue SW, Puyallup) has been opened as an emergency shelter from freezing weather conditions. They can be reached at 253-845-7508.
• Update 8:04 a.m., 1/18: In response to slippery conditions on Shaw Road, City of Puyallup Streets Crews are applying more sand to the area. Central Pierce Fire and Rescue has asked WSDOT to help with additional sanding on the off-ramp from eastbound Hwy 512 to Meridian. 
• The following City of Puyallup roads have been closed:
  
  • 15th Avenue SE Between Shaw Rd and Amber Blvd
  • Highlands Dr between Shaw Rd and top of the Hill (approximately 34th)
  • Puyallup City Hall is open, but with limited staffing. The Puyallup Activity Center, Public Library, Recreation Center, and Municipal Court are closed today.
• Update 4:36 p.m., 1/17: The Puyallup Activity Center, Public Library, Recreation Center, and Municipal Court will be closed Wednesday, 1/18.