Seattle skied, plowed and shoveled its way through snowstorm

SEATTLE — Trying to keep roads clear is key when it comes to keeping drivers safe. The city of Seattle has been busy the past few days, with plows running 24/ 7.

The arterial roads have remained open because of the hours of work of those city road crews.

It’s been that kind of Saturday. Seattle streets and sidewalks suddenly became friendly to skis and sleds.

Jeremy Verke, a six-year Seattle resident, got started early on his snowy urban adventure.

“We woke up,” said Verke. “Put on the cross-country skis. Skied over to Macrina (bakery), got some pastry. Skied over to Hagen Coffee Roaster up on Mercer, near Mercer and got some coffee.”

“It feels really fun,” said Emily Henley. “Just everybody being outside. Yeah, just a super-fun day.”

But all of this snow has meant a lot of work, too. Road crews were out around the clock to keep Seattle’s main arterials clear.

Moments later, a police car raced by, a vivid example of why crews are devoting so much attention to these streets.

It is SDOT’s top priority, says Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan.

“With plows, salt spreaders, deicer trucks,” said Durkan, “they have been assisted by a number of city crews.”

But that hasn’t spared King County Metro. There were buses aplenty that simply succumbed to the conditions.

Moreover, Seattle Fire responded to more than 400 emergencies overnight, double what they say they usually see.

And, of course, with the snow continuing to fall, there was no letup in the amount of shoveling that had to be done. It’s the law.

“And if you have the time, help your neighbors as well, particularly if your neighbors can’t shovel their own,” Durkan said.

No one is exhibiting that more than a driver for Operation Sack Lunch. He spent this treacherous Saturday delivering meals to homeless people.

“Two vehicles got stuck; I got them unstuck,” he said. “I’m slowly working my way up. And it’s been interesting. Five thousand to 10,000 meals today.”

He is so humble that he wouldn’t share his name. But he’s a reminder of how much good people can do, no matter the circumstances — and all of this in the middle of a pandemic.

Cox Media Group