Weather Update: Power Reportedly Restored to Mercer Island

Updated at Jan. 22, 5 a.m.: 

Puget Sound Energy reported that all areas of Mercer Island that had lost power because of this week's storms. At its height, more than 1,000 Mercer Island homes and businesses were without power this week.

Original story Jan. 21, 9 a.m.:

Here is an update on the mop up of this week's winter weather on Mercer Island and regionally. According to the National Weather Service, showers and rain are likely throughout Saturday and Sunday, the day is expected to be breezy with wind gusts of up to 45 mph, which could bring down tree limbs and knock out power lines. However, temperatures are expected to including a high of 48 degrees - above freezing, according to the National Weather Service.

Mercer Island 

Roadways are extremely hazardous with compact snow and ice on the roadway, according to the city. All hills need to be an area of concern and even what looks like exposed roadway may be slick and icy, the city warns.

Puget Sound Energy

About 900 homes and businesses in Mercer Island remain without power, according to Puget Sound Energy's Service Alert Map.

The outages include group of about 584 residents in south Mercer Island, according Puget Sound Energy, but scattered outages remain throughout the rest of the city.

The utility warns residents to stay away from all downed lines. If you see a downed line, assume it is a power line, still energized and dangerous, the utility advises. Notify PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or call 911 if you see a downed line.

Regionwide, the utility reports that 200 crews will be repairing powerlines throughout King, Pierce and Thurston counties. Puget Sound Energy reported that it could take until Monday or Tuesday until all power is restored to its service area.

For people without power, the Issaquah Community Center has a general population shelter operated by the American Red Cross.

Issaquah Community Center (open until further notice)   

  301 Rainer Boulevard South
  open 24 hours to the general population  
  operated by the American Red Cross

NOTE: Anyone seeking shelter should bring: 
  -Prescription and emergency medications.
  -Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, toiletries, important documents and other comfort items. 
  -For families with infants and children, remember to bring items such as diapers, formula and toys. 
  -Animals, except for service animals are not allowed at the shelters

Families who need emergency shelter can call the  (located in Bellevue) to inquire about disaster-related emergency boarding at 425-274-1498.

King County

County fire and health officials are reminding residents of the dangers of using charcoal grills and generators as a heat source after two incidents in Kent overnight of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by grills used indoors.

A flood advisory remains in effect for urban neighborhoods and small streams until this afternoon. King County reminds you to check and clear out storm drains in your neighborhood that may be clogged with snow and debris.

Metro Transit 

People riding the bus Saturday and Sunday should check the Metro website before traveling. There will be no route cancellations, but slush and debris may cause some routes to remain on snow routes. King County Metro has updated information online or through Transit Alerts. People can also call the Customer Information Office at 206-553-3000 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Due to the volume of calls, there may be longer-than-normal waits on the phone. 

Disposing of storm debris

Residents and businesses are encouraged to recycle construction, demolition and land clearing debris. To see a complete list of recycling options and links to resources, visit http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/wdidw/material.asp.

Small amounts of construction, demolition and land clearing debris are accepted at King County solid waste transfer stations. Customers using dump trucks, flat beds that dump, or roll-off boxes may not dispose of construction, demolition and land clearing debris at King County transfer stations unless it is less than 10 percent of the total volume of the load. (Note: Dump trucks, flat beds and roll-offs with construction, demolition and land clearing debris are accepted at the Vashon transfer station.)

The following restrictions also apply: 

• No hazardous or dangerous waste.
• No items greater than eight feet long.
• Dense items that are bigger than 2 feet x 2 feet x 2 feet and weigh more than 200 pounds are not accepted. Examples include big pieces of concrete, large stumps, wood stoves and cast iron bathtubs.
• The maximum combined vehicle and trailer length limits are: 30 feet at Algona, Cedar Falls, Factoria, Houghton, Renton and Vashon and 40 feet at Bow Lake, Enumclaw and Shoreline.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 

Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill. Carbon monoxide gas comes from burning fuels such as gasoline, propane, oil, kerosene, natural gas, coal or wood.

Prevent poisoning from carbon monoxide:

• Only use a generator outdoors and far from open windows and vents
• Never use a generator or portable propane heater indoors, in garages or carports
• Never cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen suddenly and without warning. Physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include splitting 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 www.kingcounty.gov/health/disaster.

Medical support if your power is out

Some people receive medical support at home that may be disrupted by the power outages. If you need power for medical equipment or need replacement oxygen tanks, call Public Health at 1-877-903-KING (5464) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for assistance

-- Information from the city of Mercer Island, Puget Sound Energy and King County