Don’t leave the house. It’s dangerous out there. No, it’s not because of COVID-19 this time. It’s because of snow and below-freezing temperatures this week.
Roads and sidewalks are icy, making it dangerous to drive and even walk. If you have to work, see if you can do it from home. And if you don’t, stay home anyway, city and county leaders advise.
It shouldn’t be this way much longer. The weather forecast calls for it to warm up to 38 degrees on Saturday and 41 degrees with rain on Sunday.
As of Wednesday morning, Bainbridge Island police have responded to 43 calls related to the weather, including 19 collisions.
City and county Public Works crews are plowing roads and picking up garbage as they are able based on road conditions. Kitsap County road crews started early Sunday responding to the snow. Crews worked out of all three road shops and continued working overnight plowing and treating roads.
The county uses a comprehensive snow and ice plan to route plows. Priority 1 roads are plowed in the first 36 hours after the snow stops. Priority 2 roads are done after the Priority 1 roads are cleared. More information is available on the County’s Inclement Weather page.
In Bainbridge, all Priority 1 roads have been plowed and sand has been applied to hills and intersections. Crews then worked on Priority 2 roads. Most areas have compact snow and ice with some bare areas. All Priority 1 roads are passable. Learn about priority routes at www.bainbridgewa.gov/ inclementweather. Salt brine continues to be applied on Priority 1 roads.
Crews will continue with Priority 2 roads throughout the day. They will return to Priority 1 roads for plowing as the temperature rises and the deicer works on the compact snow and ice.
“We encourage people to please stay off the roads if possible for your safety and our staff’s safety,” a BI alert says.
If outdoors, remember to dress in layers and cover exposed skin, and take precautions to protect animals, an alert from Poulsbo says. “Uncovered pipes are also susceptible to freezing and bursting,” it adds.
The Kitsap County Courthouse, all county offices, and all county parks and parking areas were closed. Bainbridge and Poulsbo city offices were closed. Washington State Ferries operated on alternative schedules due to shortage of crews as employees couldn’t get to work. After the heavy snow, Puget Sound Energy lines, along with a downed tree, closed Mariner and Agate Pass roads where they intersect.
Meanwhile, the Bainbridge Island Severe Weather Shelter planned to be open through Dec. 31 due to expected continued freezing temperatures. The shelter is at the Senior Community Center, 370 Brien Ave. SE.
Anyone who needs housing needs to check in between 6-8 p.m. It will close for the night if no one checks in. The center will then reopen at 8 a.m. for daytime warming. If anyone needs help after hours they must call 9-1-1 to get an escort to the shelter. COVID-19 protocols are in effect. Regardless of vaccination status, all must wear masks indoors. If you need a ride to the shelter, call 1-844-4BI-RIDE before 3:50 p.m. After that time, or on weekends, call
Severe Weather Shelters also are open in Kingston and Poulsbo. Hours of operation will be from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., except the one at Village Green Community Center will end at 6:30 in the morning. The locations are: Village Green, 26159 Dulay Rd NE, Kingston; and Gateway Fellowship, West Wing building, 18901 8th Ave. NE in Poulsbo. Those needing transportation to the closest shelter can call
The Severe Weather Shelters serve anyone in our area who requires safe overnight refuge when hazardous weather conditions are expected. Further activations are weather-dependent. Call 2-1-1 for information about the shelters and details on how to receive text message notifications when they are open.
Also due to anticipated freezing temperatures, Kitsap County opened an Emergency Warming Center at the county Fairgrounds Pavilion (1200 Fairgrounds Road NW, Bremerton) through Jan. 1, 2022. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Water, hot drinks, and snacks will be provided. There will be seating and tables. Pets are permitted, provided they are kept crated. Guests must self-administer a rapid COVID test to enter.
