With cold temperatures and wintry precipitation in our forecast, here are some important reminders on how to prepare, stay safe and remain informed.
Warming Shelters and Centers
The City of Port Angeles is working closely with local partners to ensure warming shelters and centers are available to those in need. The following are currently available:
Serenity House Shelter
Phone: (360) 452-7221 | Location: 2321 W 18th Street, Port Angeles WA 98363
When temperatures drop below 32 degrees for more than eight (8) hours, Serenity House will open 24/7 for warming. Should this facility reach max capacity, Serenity house will help to shuttle community members to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sequim for warming when necessary.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Phone: (360) 683-4862 | Location: 525 N 5th Avenue, Sequim, WA 98382
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will open as a warning center when temperatures predicted for 36 degrees and below.
Reflections Counseling
Phone: (360) 452-4062 | Location: 3430 E Hwy 101, Port Angeles, WA 98362
If you or someone you know need but cannot find access to a warming shelter, the Reflections Counseling REAL Team can help. For assistance, please contact the REAL Team at (360) 912-7833.
Washington 2-1-1
This service provides information about available warning centers and emergency shelters statewide. Individuals can dial 2-1-1 or visit the Washington 2-1-1 website for assistance.
The City is also prepared to stand up a warming center at the Vern Burton Community Center, should the above sites reach capacity and temperatures fall below 20 degrees for an extended period of time. More information to come.
Food and Other Resources
Community Paramedicine Office
Phone: (360) 417-4667 | Location: City of Port Angeles Fire Department
In partnership with Olympic Medical Center, the Port Angeles Fire Department is offering a limited number of cold weather packs, including gear for cold and rain, and other essential supplies. To request a cold weather pack, please contact Community Paramedicine by phone.
Salvation Army
Phone: (360) 452-7679 | Location: 123 S Peabody St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Breakfast: 8:00-8:55am, Lunch: 12:00-12:55pm
Serenity House Shelter
Phone: (360) 452-7221 | Location: 2321 W 18th Street, Port Angeles WA 98363
Breakfast: 8:00-9:00am, Lunch: 12:30-1:30pm, Dinner: 6:30-7:30pm
The Answer for Youth TAFY
Phone: (360) 670-4363 | Location: 826 E 1st St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Supports youth and young families up to age 35 with a small food bank and a free clothes closet. They also have blankets, tents, and other necessities. Open Mon/Wed/Fri 3-7 p.m. and Saturdays 4-7 p.m.
Snow and Ice Removal
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: Main arterials, considered to be the minimum network kept open, which keep hospitals, fire stations, police stations, and emergency services connected.
Priority #2: Other arterial streets to complete the network covering major traffic volume streets and provide access to school and public transit routes. This includes single access or dead-end streets and alleys that provide sole access to residences (note: this is treated on a case-by-case basis). This also includes pedestrian access via the 8th Street bridges.
Priority #3: All remaining residential streets.
The City of Port Angeles has 144 miles of road to clear, limited equipment and a small number of employees available for around-the-clock snow removal operations. To help our crews clear the roadways more efficiently, please:
- Park your vehicles in driveways or parking areas off the main streets.
- To reduce the amount of snow pushed into your driveway, please pile any snow that is shoveled from your driveway to the right side of its opening (the right side is determined by standing in your driveway and looking toward the street).
- 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. Staff will be monitoring messages from the field.
Snow removal can be a monumental task and we thank you for your patience and cooperation.
How You Can Prepare (and Stay Safe!)
General Tips for You and Your Family:
- Stock up on essentials and prepare your home and vehicle for cold temperatures. More information can be found at www.cityofpa.us/winterweather.
- Protect your pets. If you cannot bring them indoors, provide warm and dry shelter with access to unfrozen water.
- Shovel snow away from sidewalks, driveways and fire hydrants, but be careful not to exert yourself.
- Check in with neighbors or family that may need a helping hand.
Travel Safety:
- If you ride the bus, visit www.clallamtransit.com for rider alerts.
- Be mindful of the road conditions. 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 yourself more time to safely reach your destination.
Periods of Extremely Cold Weather:
- Never use a generator, 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.
- If you or someone you know must venture outdoors, dress in layers. Covered exposed skin to protect your health. 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.
- 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.
In the event of a downed power line:
- Call for help. If you see one, please contact the Public Works & Utilities Department at (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.
Stay Informed / Contact Us
During winter weather and storm events, real-time updates will be shared to the Public Works & Utilities Department Facebook Page. Find us on Facebook!
To report an issue, including power outages, downed power lines, potholes, snow/icy road conditions, or debris in the roadway, please call (360) 417-4726 or email publicworks@cityofpa.us.
For life-threatening emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
Learn More
The City of Port Angeles will continue to monitor the weather to provide prompt response. To learn more about Winter Weather Preparedness and City response, including snow and ice removal procedures, please visit www.cityofpa.us/WinterWeather