PORT ANGELES — A mix of snow and rain was forecast today on the North Olympic Peninsula, where weather-weary commuters, first responders and plow crews continued to grapple with slippery roads and side streets Wednesday.
Clallam County Fire District No. 2 Chief Sam Phillips said the lingering snow — measured in feet in many areas — had been “pretty taxing” on his crews, which provide fire suppression and emergency medical services to an 85-square-mile area outside the city of Port Angeles.
“We’re relying more and more on our volunteer staff,” Phillips said Wednesday.
“So far, luckily, we haven’t had any structure fires, but we’re pretty concerned with the weight of the snow on these roofs.”
At least three snowstorms have hit the North Olympic Peninsula since Friday, and more moisture is expected in the next few days.
The Peninsula was under a flood advisory Wednesday due to runoff from melting snow.
Temperatures were forecast to drop below freezing Wednesday night and tonight in Port Angeles, Sequim and Forks, causing anything that melts to refreeze.
Another weather system was expected to arrive today, bringing rain to locations near sea level and more snow to the higher elevations though Friday morning.
“As that comes in, it still may be cold enough to see a rain-snow mix,” said Kirby Cook, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.
“Right now, we’re looking at the snow level at least starting out at 500 feet and then increasing to 1,500 feet in the afternoon.”
Cook said he expected a drying trend this weekend with high temperatures staying below normal in the low 40s.
“We’re not expecting a rapid warm-up,” Cook said.
Early next week, another system will “brush” the Peninsula, bringing a chance of light snow in the lowlands, Cook said.
“Generally, it’s just an odd shower here or there,” he added.
A potent snowstorm dumped up to three feet of snow in central and eastern Clallam County on Friday and Saturday.
Private roads and driveways in Fire District 2 remained “very hard to get into” Wednesday, Phillips said.
An elderly patient who slipped and fell Tuesday waited as medical units packed their equipment and hiked about 300 yards through heavy snow to the man’s property, Phillips said.
“I think the county snow plows are doing a great job, but a lot of our roads in the county are private, and those are the ones that concern us,” Phillips said.
“We’re just going to have to live with this until it melts.”
Phillips suggested that those who are stuck at home and need assistance phone 2-1-1, a free hotline supported by United Way of Clallam County.
The 2-1-1 hotline is for non life-threatening needs, including senior services and shelter.
“It’s a good service,” Phillips said. “If people have needs, they can at least start there.”
Phillips suggested that people check on their neighbors, particularly if they are elderly or infirm, and stay off the roads if possible.
For those who need to travel, Jefferson County Emergency Management Director Willie Bence suggested packing an emergency kit with tire chains, food and water.
“It’s the work that you do before heading out that will potentially save you should you get stuck,” Bence said.
Bence said most of the primary roads in East Jefferson County were clear of snow by Wednesday.
“Obviously, the side streets represent more of a challenge,” Bence said.
Bence said his primary concerns were freezing temperatures at night and urban flooding as the snow melts during the day.
A resident reported “safety hazards” at the Shadow Mountain RV Park near Lake Sutherland on Sunday, when an estimated three feet of snow was reportedly blocking access in or out.
Clallam County Chief Criminal Sheriff Deputy Brian King said he was unaware of ongoing safety issues at the RV park Wednesday.
On Wednesday, a resident of the Hideaway Mobile Home Park at 921 S. Third Ave., reported in an email that she and her neighbors — many of whom are older than 65 — are trapped in their homes with unplowed roads and asked that the Peninsula Daily News get the word out that “we need help to get out.”
Sheriff’s deputies encountered about three feet of snow while responding to a call on upper Deer Park Road on Wednesday, King said.
“Remarkably, it’s been somewhat quiet, especially with the schools out and there’s so little traffic on the roads,” King said of the recent call volume.
Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue has averaged about three medical calls per day since heavy snow hit the region, down from an average of about five per day, Phillips said.
King said the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has replaced its fleet of Crown Victoria patrol cars with all-wheel drive SUVs, which were equipped with chains prior to the first snowstorm.
“That has helped us tremendously,” King said.
Clallam County Search and Rescue volunteers have been helping stranded citizens with basic needs such as medication and transportation to important medical appointments, King said.
A team of volunteers delivered firewood to an elderly couple this week, he added.
“We’re just problem solving and working with people,” King said.
“The Search and Rescue volunteers have really stepped up.”
Those who are stranded and need assistance can call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 360-417-2459.
Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.
The city of Sequim announced Wednesday that its public works crews were working 24 hours a day in 12-hour shifts to clear snow and slush from city streets.
“Drivers are advised to go slow and be cautious,” city officials said.
Sequim crews will continue to work the main streets before moving into the neighborhoods.
“Nearly all city streets have been plowed at least once,” according to the announcement.
“Residents are asked to be patient as it is going to take some time for this amount of snow to melt.”
Port Angeles Public Works Director James Burke said plows would resume clearing residential streets this morning.
The city is applying a magnesium chloride deicer and a sand-salt mixture for improved traction, Burke said in a Wednesday interview.
“This is unprecedented,” Burke said of the repeated snowstorms.
The Port Angeles and Sequim school districts announced Wednesday that classes would be canceled today.
The Port Angeles Public Utility District reported 154 outages in the Lake Sutherland area as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Jefferson County PUD reported no outages.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
