Winter Storms
Winter weather, including high winds, freezing temperatures, and snowfall, can be dangerous. Learn more about what you can do to prepare, stay safe, and remain informed during the winter season.
Crew Preparedness
Icy street conditions and/or snow fall initiate mobilization of de-icing, sanding, and plowing equipment. Clearing City streets is a difficult process that takes time, hard work and good communication. The City has 144 miles of roads to clear, limited equipment, and a small number of employees available for around-the-clock snow removal operations.
Snow removal route priorities:
Icy street conditions and/or snow fall will initiate mobilization of de-icing, sanding, and plowing equipment in accordance with the following priorities:
Priority #1: Arterial streets considered to be the minimum network which must be kept open to provide a transportation system connecting hospitals, fire stations, police stations and emergency rescue units.
Priority #2: Other arterial streets completing the network covering the major traffic volume streets and providing access to all school and transit routes. This also includes single access or dead end streets and alleys that provide sole access to residences (treated on a case by case basis).
Priority #3: All remaining residential streets
We appreciate your patience.
The Streets Division has 7 full-time employees available for around-the-clock snow removal operations. This means there are only 3-4 employees on a shift at one time. If snowfall or freezing rain resumes before we’ve gotten to your street, it probably means we’ve had to start over on Priority #1 streets again.
Snow removal can be a monumental task and we thank you for your cooperation!
- Please shovel snow away from sidewalks and driveways.
- To reduce the amount of snow pushed back into your driveway, please pile any snow that is shoveled from the driveway to the right side of the driveway opening (the right side determined by standing in your driveway and looking towards the street).
- Park vehicles in driveways or parking areas off the main streets. This allows us to clear the roadways faster and better.
- Prepare for winter storms and stay home if it is unsafe to travel.
- Report potholes and icy intersections to the Public Works Department at (360) 417-4800 or publicworks@cityofpa.us. If you reach our voicemail, please leave a message with the information. The supervisor will be monitoring these messages from the field.
- When will you get to my road?
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Every storm is different. Because of this, there is no set schedule for when plowing will occur. If we receive an advanced notice that snowfall may occur (wunderground.com or noaa.gov), we will prepare our equipment and begin plowing/de-icing as necessary.
- Do we use Salt?
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Yes and no. Our department runs a mix ratio of sand and salt, at approximately 3:1 (sand to salt). We are allowed a small allotment of salt each year, as WSDOT reserves the right to most of the salt during the winter months. We are able to stockpile approximately 70 tons (which does not go very far) and try to reserve it for our most dangerous hills and streets, and to help our first responders when they are in need.
- Where should I park?
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We can clear the roadways faster and better when cars are not parked on the streets. If you have a driveway, please use it!
How Can I Prepare for Cold Weather and Winter Storms?
Winter storms can range from moderate snow over a few hours to blizzard conditions with wind-driven snow or freezing rain that lasts several days. Preparing ahead of the winter season will help to weather whatever hazards mother nature throws your way.
Stock Emergency Supplies:
Being prepared means being equipped with the supplies you may need in the event of an emergency, such as:
- Battery-operated radio
- Duct tape
- First-aid kit and medication
- Flashlight with batteries
- Plenty of water, non-perishable food and a manual can opener
- Personal hygiene items
- Portable battery and charging cords for electronic devices
- Fire extinguisher and battery-powered or battery back-up carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors
Register Medical Equipment to Receive Power Outage Notifications:
- Click here to receive notifications of planned power outages from the City
- Or, visit the Port Angeles City Hall Customer Service Desk to complete a paper form and be added to the outage notification list. Please bring a note from your doctor.
Prepare Your Home and Vehicle for Winter:
- Drain and insulate outdoor pipes and faucets
- Clear debris from storm drains and gutters
- Inspector your furnace and chimney
- Check batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Inspect your vehicles brakes, lights, battery, tire pressure and tread depth
- Prepare an emergency supply kit for your vehicle
Identify a place nearby where you can safely warm up, should you lose heat in your home for an extended period-of-time.
Be mindful of conditions and keep the roads clear for snow plows:
- When roads are icy, stay home if you can.
- If you must drive, be sure to remove snow and ice from your vehicle and allow more time to safely reach your destination.
- If you ride the bus, visit www.clallamtransit.com for rider alerts.
Stay warm and protect your health:
- Never use a generator, a camp stove, charcoal grill, gasoline or propane heater while indoors. These items can start accidental fires, cause electric shock, and/or cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never heat a home with a cooktop or oven.
- During extreme cold, prevent pipes from freezing and bursting by letting cold water drip from your faucet. Running water through the pipe at a trickle can help to prevent the pipe from freezing.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around your plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall.
- Shovel snow away from sidewalks, driveways and fire hydrants, but be careful not to exert yourself.
- Limit your time outdoors. If you must go outside, cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Try to seek shelter from the wind as much as possible while outside. Once inside again, change into dry clothing immediately if you are wet.
- To avoid frostbite, stay inside during severe cold. Signs and symptoms of frostbite include redness or pain in any skin area, while or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness.
- Be aware of hypothermia. To avoid hypothermia, dress in layers, avoid breezes and drafts indoors, eat nutritious food and drink warm drinks several times during the day. Warning signs of hypothermia include confusion, shivering, difficulty speaking, sleepiness and stiff muscles.
During winter storm and high wind events:
- Postpone outdoor activities if a wind advisory or high wind warning has been issued.
- If you are caught outside during high winds, take cover next to a building or under a shelter.
- Steer clear of roadways or train tracks, as a gust may block you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
- Use handrails where available on outdoor walkways and avoid elevated areas without adequate railings.
- Watch for flying debris.
Care for others:
- Bring pets into a warm place and out of the storm or severe cold.
- Be a good neighbor, check in with elderly neighbors or families with young children.
Know what to in the event of an emergency:
- Never touch a downed power line. If you see a downed power line, please call 360-417-4726 to report the power line and location.
- Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches.
- If a line falls on your car while driving, stay inside your vehicle. Do not touch any of the metal frames of your vehicle. Ask someone to call the police.
- If you have an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Be cautious and drive only if necessary.
- Be sure to remove snow and ice from your tailpipe before starting your car.
- Clean all snow and ice from your car before driving. Check vehicle regularly if idling.
- Keep emergency supplies in your car and a full tank of gas.
Take care of yourself and others.
- Monitor local news and weather updates.
- Dress in warm clothing, stay dry, and prevent prolonged exposure to cold and wind.
- Avoid overexertion from shoveling snow.
- Be a good neighbor, check in with elderly neighbors or families with young children.
Know who to call in an emergency.
- Never touch a downed power line. If you see one, please call (360) 417-4726 to report the power line and location.
- Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches.
- If a line falls on your car while driving, stay inside your vehicle. Do not touch any of the metal frames of your vehicle. Ask someone to call the police.
- If you have an emergency, please call 9-1-1.