Weather Alert Updates

Wildfires: High Risk Fire Conditions

Hot, dry weather conditions increase the risk of wildfires. You can take steps to stay safe and protect life and property from outdoor fires: 

Pay attention to burn ban restrictions and fire conditions.  

1. Sign up for the free Alert King County system to stay informed of potentially hazardous conditions in your specific area. 
2. Be extra cautious when using charcoal grills, patio torches, firepits, and campfires.  
3. All outdoor flames should be attended to by someone who is ready and equipped to put out fires quickly have water accessible at all time.
4. If you’re in an area where campfires are permitted, make sure you’ve doused, stirred, and doused your fire again before heading home.
5.  Reduce dry fuels around your home by clearing dead vegetation, grasses, fallen leaves.
6.  Clean roof tops and gutters.
7. Limb up your trees and remove dead branches.
8. Make sure your dirt bikes or ATV’s have operating spark arrestors
9. Fireworks pose a significant fire risk in dry conditions any small spark can ignite dry grasses and brush.  

Red Flag Warning:

A Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service when critical fire weather conditions are present. Local fire jurisdictions will display a red flag to communicate to the community that extreme caution is necessary to protect against the spread of wildfires. Check local burn risk conditions and current warnings.

Be Ready

In severe weather or a disaster, your family, neighbors, and friends may be your primary source of support and assistance. Get to know the people in your neighborhood as there may be a need  to help others recover from disasters by sharing resources like food, tools, or medical supplies. Be ready.

Try Map Your Neighborhood, a state-sponsored program that provides guides and materials for neighborhood blocks to plan for emergencies together. When neighborhoods are prepared together the chance for property damage is reduced, trauma and serious injuries go down, and most of all, lives can be saved. 

Preparing a kit with disaster supplies could make all the difference in surviving unexpected situations. The Prepare in a Year guide can help, as can the Washington Emergency Management Division's 2 Weeks Ready fact sheet, which considers the needs of everyone in the household including seniors, children and pets. 

Drop, Cover, and Hold

Washington is a high risk state for Earthquakes. There’s no time to prepare when a major earthquake strikes. Take time in advance to prepare so you’ll know what to do during and after an earthquake. 

• Make an advanced plan for communication strategies with family and neighbors.
• Organize your disaster supplies in convenient locations and make sure everyone knows where they are located.
• Understand where and how to turn off natural gas supply to your home.

Practice every year with the Great ShakeOut Drill on the third Thursday in October. Research shows that repeated practice cuts response time in an emergency and increases your chance for survival. During an Earthquake:

• Drop where you are onto your hands and knees. Stay low and crawl to shelter.

• Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand. Get underneath a sturdy table or desk. Stay away from windows.

• Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be ready to shift with it as it moves.

Know the signs of damage that may make a building dangerous after a major earthquake:  

• large visible cracks on walls or foundations
• buildings leaning at a slant
• Loose chimney bricks or interior fixtures that may fall suddenly
• Hissing or the smell of gas may be from a broken gas line which is an extreme fire and health hazard. Evacuate the area immediately

Poor Air Quality
Wildfire smoke can affect everyone, but holds higher risk for the very young, older persons, those who are pregnant, and individuals with heart or lung disease. Poor air quality increases the risk for:

1. Persistent cough, phlegm, wheezing, scratchy throat, or irritated sinuses 
2. Headaches 
3. Shortness of breath, asthma attack, or lung irritation 
4. Irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or fatigue 
5. Heart attacks 

Pay attention to the air quality and check on changing conditions. High-risk individuals should contact their doctor to discuss the effects and treatment for poor air quality. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical attention. For more information on air quality, visit airnow.gov. 

Protect Against Wildfire Smoke When Inside: 

1. Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible to prevent smoke from entering the home. Note: Heat can be another serious health hazard, so if your home becomes too hot, it may be better to open a window and cool the home down, even if it lets in some smoke. 
2. Run air conditioner on recycling air setting. 
3. Don't create additional indoor pollution: refrain from burning candles or running the vacuum. 
4. If you can’t close all the areas of the house, try to make one or two rooms “clean” areas by keeping windows and doors closed. 

Windstorms

The Puget Sound region can experience strong windstorms which often lead to wide-spread power outages, fallen branches, and in severe storms, fallen trees and other structural damage. 

Check the latest forecast and potential high wind warnings and watches: National Weather Service Seattle.

To prepare for a high wind event it's best to take a look around your property in advance for any potential hazards and prepare for possible power outages:

• Trim tree branches away from your house
• Secure loose gutters and shutters
• Secure lightweight patio furniture, umbrellas and other outdoor items 
• Charge batteries of all essential items such as cell phones, portable chargers, etc. in advance
• Store flashlights in easy to access locations
• Check batteries in flashlights and lanterns and have backup batteries ready to go 

Downed Power Lines

Please read the comprehensive guidelines for downed power lines provided by PSE here Version OptionsWeather Alert UpdatesHeadline.

Watch PSE video to learn what to if you encounter a downed power line.
IMPORTANT: If you encounter a downed power lines, stay as far away as you can - power lines can charge the ground at the point of contact and may cause electrocution.

Go to Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to learn safety tips for when the power is out and how to report and track outages in your area.

Flooding

Streams, lakes, wetlands, storm water retention ponds and storm drains make up the city's drainage system and are designed to hold water during storms to prevent flooding. When intense storms hit and overwhelm the system, flooding can occur.

Prepare for Heavy Rains and Help Reduce Chance of Flooding

• Clear storm drains of leaves and debris. Most street flooding is caused by clogged storm drain grates. City employees clear storm drains, but it's hard to get to all 20,000 public drains. We appreciate your help.
• Join the Adopt-a-Drain program to help Redmond keep storm drains clear.
• Install a sump pump; if you already own a pump, test it now.
• Do not block water flow by dumping trash or yard debris into streams, wetlands, or drainage ditches.
• Leave natural vegetation on steep slopes and along streams and lakes. Plants slow storm water runoff and help prevent erosion.

• Know how to shut off your electricity, gas and water at main switches and valves. You may need to shut off these utilities if your home floods. For information on gas and electric shutoff procedures, call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773. If you need help locating your main water shut off valve, call Bellevue Utilities at 425-452-7840.
• Clean your gutters and downspouts several times a year to make sure the water is flowing away from your home.
• Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
• Unplug all electrical appliances and turn off gas at the meter.
• Move valuables to higher floors.
• Do not attempt to drive through standing water. Even a small amount of water can stall your car. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
• Stay away from fallen power lines and electrical wires. Assume any downed power line is an energized power line.
• See general flood information at King County.

If your property floods:

• When reentering your home, use a flashlight. Do not use candles in case of a gas leak.
• Turn off power at the circuit breaker for areas that have flooded. If the circuit breaker is wet, contact Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773.
• Check for structural damage and beware of gas leaks, electric shorts and live wires.
• Call your insurance agent for information on flood claims.

Emergency Road Closures Map

Questions? Please contact City of Redmond Customer Service at info@redmond.gov or call 425-556-2900.

View our Emergency Road Closure map

Winter Weather

Snow, ice, and cold temperatures can easily disrupt our daily lives and make it difficult to get out to get those things we need the most like food and medications. With a some preplanning, we can lessen the impact of severe winter weather if we take a few steps ahead of the snow and ice to get ready! Check out the Take Winter by Storm website for great tips for dealing with winter weather including comprehensive checklists to help you prepare. 

Snow and Ice Response: Learn more about Redmond's winter storm response including to view the snow and ice response map at www.redmond.gov/SnowIce. 

Drive carefully, drive slowly! If road conditions are too treacherous, it's best to stay home. If you must be on the roads, you can check for travel and weather advisories and discover resources and tips for winter driving at Washington State Department of Transportation.

Report a power outage: To report a power outage or view the power outage map, download the PSE app or visit the PSE website, or call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773.

Clear sidewalks: Please help make walking in your neighborhood safe during winter weather - help clear the sidewalks!

Clear storm drains: Heavy snow can block storm drains and cover up other blocking debris. Please help keep storm drains flowing freely to reduce the risk of local flooding.

Take care of each other: When the weather turns cold, check in with neighbors to see if they need help, especially elderly residents or those with health concerns. 

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning: Please remember! You cannot use generators or gas or charcoal grills inside the house. Carbon monoxide levels build quickly and are a silent killer.

If temperatures fall below freezing: Protect your pipes from freezing by wrapping outdoor and indoor pipes with cloth, bags, or other insulating materials. 

Stay updated on garbage and recycling service delays: With safety as the priority, Waste Management closely monitors road conditions and will service garbage, recycling, and yard waste as soon as possible. Visit Redmond's Waste Management Service Alert Page for information and updates.

Find shelter. For those in need of shelter or safe parking on cold nights, use this list of local nonprofit agencies and churches that provide shelters and safe parking options on the Eastside.