Power outages continue for thousands, Seattle Mayor wants snow response review, and a dedication to the memory of the fallen Lakewood police officers.
Power Outages Linger
Extra line crews from around the northwest are working with Puget Sound Energy to get the lights back on in Kitsap County. The peninsula was hardest hit by Monday's snow and windstorm. There are smaller outages across the wider Puget Sound region, but most outages, to about 35,000 homes, are in the Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island areas.
The Kitsap Sun quotes PSE spokesman Roger Thompson, who says the company's optimistic many will have power restored today:
“We’re doing all we can to avoid a Thanksgiving Day power outage for any customer in Kitsap County,” Thompson said, adding that some in outlying rural areas might not be so lucky. "The damage is widespread...," he added.
About 20,000 customers have had their electricity restored since Tuesday evening. PSE officials say the repair work is made difficult by icy, treacherous roads blocked by fallen trees.
Meanwhile, it's been a tough two days for more than 10,000 Vashon and Maury Island homes, too. Power may not be fully restored to those customers until Thanksgiving. We'll provide an update on this site this afternoon.
Seattle Mayor Says Snow "Overwhelmed" City Response
Mayor Mike McGinn tells the SeattlePI.com Monday's snowstorm "overwhelmed" the city's efforts to keep major roads de-iced and open. The PI reports McGinn will take a 'hard look' at whether Seattle's new snow response plan worked:
He said Tuesday there would be an after-action report on the city's strategies and materials used. He said he was concerned that the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Battery Street Tunnel had to be temporarily closed due to ice, and that conditions snarled traffic on the West Seattle Bridge.
McGinn said the city budget included extra funds for the snow response plan. On Tuesday, the city had at least 15 snowplows dispersed to clear roads. Garbarge and recycling will not be picked up Wednesday, as the roads are still too icy to navigate in many neighborhoods.
Honoring Lakewood's Fallen Officers
A new sign will go up today in Tacoma's Parkland neighborhood where four Lakewood Police officers were killed last year. Officer's Memorial Drive is being dedicated today with a six foot sign at the intersection of Steele Street South and S. 116th. The News Tribune reports:
The Pierce County Council adopted a resolution Tuesday in memory of officers Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Greg Richards and Sgt. Mark Renninger and requesting placement of the sign.
Though the streets are not being renamed, the designation is intended to honor the officers at a site where a memorial will be built. It's near the coffee shop where they were killed nearly one year ago, on November 29th.
