The city of Mercer Island is preparing heavily for the next snow event in the area, and encouraging residents to do the same.
During the snow storm earlier this week, the city’s street teams were out through the day and night plowing and treating roadways. With temperatures expected to hit the low 20s, any wet or slushy roadways will become very icy. Drivers are advised to be very cautious on hills and overpasses.
As of Thursday, the various forecast models began to converge on the most likely scenario for the next 48 hours of weather, and more snow is on the way starting Friday, Feb. 8, early-mid afternoon.
Because it will be falling on much colder roads than this Monday’s event, it will stick quickly. By Saturday afternoon, most forecasts expect up to 6 inches accumulation, and perhaps even more in isolated areas.
Mercer Island plow crews are well supplied with fuel and materials, equipment is being double-checked, and work teams will be switching back onto 24-hour shifts Friday morning through the weekend, according to a city press release.
Extra police, fire, and public works crews are also scheduled, and the city will open its Emergency Operations Center Friday afternoon to handle heavier call volumes and coordinate the response. The city is also in close contact with the Mercer Island School District.
On Friday evening, the city recommends not parking on steep roads or driveways if the option exists, and asked residents not to block the city right-of-way.
For snow/ice/sand service requests, use the city’s online portal, MI-Connect, or download the app to submit via a smartphone. This pushes the information directly into the workflow queue for our Public Works field crews. An online map also shows whether anyone else has already requested service at the same location. View plow routes here.
The city has published updated hours for its main facilities. Closing on Friday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m., and remaining closed Saturday/Sunday are: City Hall, Public Works administration (the hotline is staffed), the Luther Burbank building, and the Community and Event Center (MICEC).
The Thrift Shop will close at 4 p.m. Friday and remain closed Saturday, but plans to open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Many meetings and events for next week have been canceled and are being rescheduled – check the city’s calendar to view a complete list. In particular, the annual Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation fundraiser breakfast (planned for Wednesday, Feb. 13) has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 6.
More frequent updates are posted to the city’s social media outlets.
