City Dealing With Storm's Aftermath
Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 3:34 p.m.
City of Spokane crews are continuing to clean up following today’s storm, as the winds have died down across the community.
“Our first responders and public safety teams, along with many crews from Avista, have been hard at work assisting our citizens throughout the day,” says Mayor Nadine Woodward. “We have more work ahead, but once again, we have come together as a community to quickly address what is needed.”
Here’s a look at what’s happening:
- The City has received 141 reports of trees or branches in the right of way so far, and about 130 trees have come down in City parks. Parks officials ask citizens to stay out of parks while staff evaluates conditions. Some trees and broken branches remain at risk of falling. Some trees have been completely uprooted and could have impacted underground utilities. Similar tree risks in neighborhoods also remain.
- As cleanup proceeds, crews are prioritizing opening blocked arterials. After that, crews will work to open blocked residential streets and then will move to general tree debris removal from the streets. Trees that have fallen on private property are the responsibility of property owners. Parks Operations teams are managing tree damage in City parks. Sidewalks may also be blocked by fallen trees and limbs; please help your neighbors remove that material.
- Some garbage customers were missed today. If a citizen’s garbage or recycling collection was missed, they are asked to leave their carts out for now. As the crews complete their routes today, they will return to service areas that were blocked by downed trees or power lines to attempt to collect those missed carts. If access is still an issue, customers should leave their carts at their normal collection points, and crews will schedule a return trip as soon as the right of way is passable.
- Some intersections remain without power; motorists should treat them as a four-way stop and proceed with caution.
- Today’s storm also may have impacted those experiencing homelessness; shelter space is available.
- The Numerica Skate Ribbon will not open today, and the Farmer’s Market in the Riverfront Park Pavilion is cancelled for tonight.
- The Spokane Public Library also cancelled curbside pickup of materials for today.
- Some City staff who are working from home as a result of the pandemic were without power today. That included a number of staff members who provide permits. The City apologizes to citizens who were unable to receive service today as a result.
- Extra city fire crews were added to assist hazards in the road and create emergency access where needed.
Citizens can call 3-1-1 to report trees blocking roadways. For trees entangled with power lines, please call Avista at 1-800-227-9187. (Answer “yes” when asked if you want to report an urgent issue.) If downed power lines pose an emergency, please call 9-1-1. Don’t approach downed power lines.
The City is offering free disposal options for tree debris from the storm. See the information on the City’s web site. Residents who need assistance with clearing tree debris from private property are encouraged to refer to the list of licensed arborists at spokanecity.org.
Storm cleanup also will require repairs to damaged roofs and fences. Permits are needed, but the City is waiving permit fees for those storm repairs. Please call 509.625.6300. More information on residential permits is found on the City’s web site.
