The snowstorm that rolled in last week and dumped between 4 to 8 inches or more of snow on Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula was only the beginning of a one-two punch from Mother Nature. Thursday morning’s freezing rain added a crunchy layer of ice on top of the snow.
Fortunately, the worst appears to be over, thanks to warming temperatures and rain this week. But wet roads were still turning to ice overnight in Pierce County, catching many drivers by surprise.
Post-storm flooding a concern Water, even when it’s not frozen, presents its own challenges in the aftermath of the winter blast. As the remaining snow and ice continues to melt from city streets, city officials are asking residents to clear storm drains of slush and debris to help prevent flooding. Snow plowed from roadways and shoveled from sidewalks and driveways can build up over curbside storm drains and block runoff, and that can cause flooding when temperatures rise or form dangerous ice slicks if temperatures drop again.
Some drivers within city limits were unpleasantly surprised Monday morning to find patches of black ice on the roadways, especially on less-traveled, non-arterial roads.
Gig Harbor’s Public Works department has worked to keep roads clear during the inclement weather, despite difficult conditions. Crews also have worked to keep stormwater drains and catch basins clear.
Residents have shoveled snow away from the top and sides of grates in their neighborhoods, and that will help protect their property and prevent water from pooling in the streets. Those who need to report drainage issues or flooding problems along roadways in their neighborhoods can call the city at 253-851-6170.
Homeowners of flat-topped structures — especially mobile homes, carports and boat marinas — should take steps to remove any remaining snow and standing water from their roofs. The combination of snow and water increases the chance for a collapsed roof.
Gig Harbor Mayor Chuck Hunter praised the efforts of city workers during the inclement weather, saying they did a good job with the resources they had available.
“It was a significant storm,” he said.
Several businesses closed and the streets were nearly empty last week. Those who needed to drive, however, were largely able to do so.
“I think, generally, that traffic was able to move around,” Hunter said.
PenLight restores power Thursday morning’s ice storm brought its own brand of follow-up misery to people already battered by snow and cold temperatures. The freezing rain coated tree branches — and anything else it came in contact with — and caused a number of ice-laden limbs to crash down on power lines.
Peninsula Light Co. worked to restore power to areas beginning Thursday morning, said Jonathan White, PenLight’s marketing director and director of member services. Areas without power for a time included a large area of Gig Harbor south and west of Point Fosdick Drive, he said.
“Fox Island got hit pretty good,” White said, noting there were also outages in several areas of unincorporated Pierce County, including Artondale, Kopachuck, Horsehead Bay, Vaughn, Lakebay and Longbranch.
“At any given time, we had about 2,500 to 3,500 people without power,” he said.
As of Saturday night, all power had been restored, White said.
White credited work crews, including those from Grant County PUD and Clallam County PUD, who helped to relieve exhausted PenLight crews. They worked 16-hour shifts for a maximum of 36 hours before they rested, White said.
Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed by the public.
“We got nice, positive tweets,” White reported of PenLight’s efforts to keep customers updated via Twitter. “This is our first storm that we’ve used social media to provide outage updates.”
