Topic: Weather

Water Rationing Order

Written on December 30, 2021 at 2:13 pm, by

The Town of Friday Harbor has noted that water levels in the water storage tanks in Town are dangerously low and the Town is therefore imposing an immediate water rationing order and may later need to initiate planned service outages to maintain service. We have no indication that there are major leaks in the distribution  Continue Reading

Check for Leaks or Broken Pipes

Written on December 29, 2021 at 3:42 pm, by

To Friday Harbor water system customers – Town of Friday Harbor is asking anyone who owns or lives in property served by the Town water system to check for water leaks both inside and outside. Since the freezing temperatures arrived the Town has seen an unusual draw down of our water tanks challenging the ability  Continue Reading

Winter Message from the Town

Written on December 28, 2021 at 11:44 am, by

To Town Water Customers: The recent cold snap has caused pipes to freeze in houses and buildings that have never had that issue before.  Due to increased water usage, we know there are more leaks in the system.  We ask everyone to check their houses, inside and out, to make sure they don’t have burst  Continue Reading

Dangerous Beauty

Written on December 27, 2021 at 2:00 pm, by

Steve Roberts shot this photo on First Street last night. It sure is a thing of beauty, but if you don’t need to go out, consider staying home. Now’s a good time to binge on Netflix or read that book you keep putting off. Also a good time to avoid giving EMS and the ER  Continue Reading

Winter Weather and County Roads

Written on December 22, 2021 at 4:21 am, by

Snow is currently in the forecast for this weekend. If you would like to learn more about how the County prioritizes and responds to snow events on County Roads please visit Map Gallery | San Juan County, WA see where you can view our priority maps and plans for snow removal. Please remember, winter weather  Continue Reading

Freezer Burned: Tales of Interior Alaska

Written on December 18, 2021 at 5:22 am, by

Freezer Burned is an ongoing series on the San Juan Update, written by Steve Ulvi… (Authors note: this fictional tale of Alaska bush life adventure, grief and redemption, circa the 1980s, will be continued founded upon two previous stories.  See Freezer Burned: “No Matter What” and “The Confines of Heaven” for character background.) The Confines  Continue Reading

Water Management a Top County Priority

Written on December 15, 2021 at 5:42 am, by

From drought conditions this summer to record rainfall and flooding last month, water management is certainly a critical issue. San Juan County’s Clean Water Utility, managed by the Department of Environmental Stewardship, serves citizens by addressing storm and surface water infrastructure improvements such as stream culverts and water quality treatment. The Utility also sweeps and  Continue Reading

Now Open – Killebrew Lake Road

Written on December 2, 2021 at 12:21 am, by

UPDATE – Killebrew Lake Road on Orcas Island is now open. Public Works completed their assessment Thursday morning and have determined that the road is safe to open. Laporte Road remains closed just past the intersection with John Jones Road.

Disaster Cash Assistance Program

Written on November 26, 2021 at 5:34 am, by

The following was shared with you by Northwest Workforce Council… The Department of Social and Health Services has activated the Disaster Cash Assistance Program, or DCAP, to serve people affected by severe weather events. Households impacted by floods, landslides, mudslides and other hazardous events in the 14 counties included in Governor Inslee’s November 15, 2021,  Continue Reading

Prepare Your Property for the Next Big Rain Event

Written on November 24, 2021 at 5:47 am, by

The massive rain event last week caused a wide range of impacts in the county and caught many islanders off-guard. The severe weather was caused by an atmospheric river: a long, narrow band of water vapor that often is released as rain or snow when it makes landfall. While the scope and damage may be  Continue Reading

Quick Update on Point Lawrence Road Repairs

Written on November 22, 2021 at 9:30 pm, by

This is from the SJC Dept. of Emergency Management… Things are looking good for a potential opening tomorrow (Tuesday – knock on wood). Public Works is awaiting delivery of barriers for the road edge that are due to arrive on the 5:30am ferry on Tuesday from Anacortes. Once those are placed and final site work  Continue Reading

Crow Valley Road Closure

Written on November 19, 2021 at 5:43 am, by

Due to erosion having caused cavities beneath the roadbed, Crow Valley Road on Orcas Island will be closed to west-bound traffic (traffic heading away from Eastsound towards Island Hardware) between Orcas Road (Fowler’s Corner) and West Beach Road (Island Hardware). East-bound traffic is not impacted at this time. The closure will last at least into  Continue Reading

Land Bank Preserves Closed due to Severe Weather

Written on November 16, 2021 at 11:05 am, by

The Conservation Land Bank’s Turtleback Mountain, Judd Cove and Coho Preserves on Orcas Island sustained heavy damage from last weekend’s record rainfall. Although staff are prioritizing safety-related repairs to roads and trails, please expect minor disruptions. Some repairs may take months and some impacts will be lasting. In particular, the culvert under Wildrose Lane just  Continue Reading

Several State Highways in Whatcom and Skagit Counties Closed due to Flooding

Written on November 15, 2021 at 5:13 pm, by

BURLINGTON – Record rainfall caused flooding in several parts of Whatcom and Skagit counties, forcing closures of several state highways. Washington State Department of Transportation crews worked through the weekend and continue to work to clear fallen trees and rockslides, but in some areas such as along State Route 20 between Cascadia Farms (MP 98) to  Continue Reading

Emergency!

Written on November 15, 2021 at 5:08 pm, by

San Juan County Council Special Meeting – Declaring State of Emergency The San Juan County Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 8 am, to consider a Resolution declaring a State of Emergency.  The severe weather system that passed over San Juan County on November 14th and 15th, 2021, dropped a  Continue Reading

Road Conditions Update

Written on November 15, 2021 at 12:53 pm, by

Extremely heavy rains have fallen across the islands over the last 24 hours, causing a wide range of impacts to San Juan County roads and infrastructure. Public Works crews from both the County and the Town of Friday Harbor have been responding since late last night. Orcas Island in particular has experienced a number of  Continue Reading