If you haven’t heard yet the Pacific Northwest is in for nasty winter. It is a La Nina forecast: snowy, wet winter ahead. Remember the blast of ice and snow in 2008 and the devastating floods of 2007? They were what forecasters call moderate La Nina years. This year’s forecast calls for a moderate to strong La Nina. So what does this mean for you? This may be great news for skiers and the mountain snow pack, but it also means a greater chance of snow in the lowlands more often. This also raises our attention to more flooding and a greater risk for the Green River Valley and other flood-prone areas.

Find out more about La Nina: La Nina Frequently Asked Questions

Resources to Help You GET READY:

1. Preparation Check List

2. Commuters: Are you prepared for emergencies?

3. Preparing Your Car

4. Preparing for and responding to Power Outages

5. Never use generators inside your home, garage or carports. Tips for using a generator during power outages
   Standby or Back-up Generators
   
   Never cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill, they can cause a buildup of poisonous carbon monoxide gas. Carbon Monoxide Safety

6. Help keep storm drains clear, clean gutters and down spouts regularly: Adopt a drain

7. Flood Safety: Preventing, protecting, cleaning up and drying out

8. Winter Safe Newsletter

9. Winter Driving Tips SDOT

10. 2011-2012 Winter Driving Guide WSDOT

Snow Routes

• UW Seattle Campus’ Current Snow Removal Status
• Seattle Department of Transportation’s Winter Weather Plan and Response Map

Other Resources

• WA State Emergency Management, Storm Preparedness: Take Action Now
• Take Winter by Storm
• City of Seattle, Get Ready for Winter
• National Weather Service, Seattle
• Seattle Department of Transportation
• Washington State Department of Transportation
• Seattle City Light: When the Power Goes Out
• Seattle City Light: System Status
• Puget Sound Energy
• Mountain Pass Reports
• Ready.gov: Winter Storms & Extreme Cold
• Port of Seattle: Sea-Tac Airport

UW Suspended Operations Policy

” The President or the President’s designee(s) may declare a temporary suspension of any or all University operations due to an emergency situation that adversely affects University operations, public health, or the well-being and safety of students, faculty, and staff.

Events which might require suspending operations include, but are not limited to: severe weather or natural disaster, spread of a communicable disease, fire or related hazard, an immediate threat to the safety of the campus community, damage to or failure of UW infrastructure, equipment or mechanical systems.”