The state has closed Chinook Pass, Cayuse Pass and the North Cascades Highway for the season. After reviewing this past weekend’s snowfall accumulations and the forecast for more snow starting on Wednesday, state transportation maintenance crews and avalanche forecasters agreed that the avalanche risk is too great to keep these seasonal highways open.
Every year, WSDOT closes each pass for the winter due to high avalanche risk and hazardous driving conditions. All three passes have numerous slide areas that pose significant danger to travelers, WSDOT maintenance crews and park staff.
WSDOT closed SR 504 last week for the season. Chinook Pass, Cayuse Pass and the North Cascades Highway were temporarily closed last week before crews decided to close them for the season.
Crews closed the SR 410 gates at Morse Creek (five miles east of Chinook Pass) and at Crystal Mountain Boulevard (eight miles northwest of Chinook Pass) for the season. Access to the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort from SR 410 remains open.
WSDOT and Mount Rainier National Park staff agreed to close SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) for the season. SR 123 is closed within Mount Rainier National Park from the 4,675-foot Cayuse Pass summit at the junction of SR 410 and SR 123 to Steven Canyon Road (just north of the junction with US 12).
Additionally, SR 20 (North Cascades Highway) is closed between milepost 134, seven miles east of Diablo Dam on the west side of 4,855-foot Rainy Pass and milepost 171, nine miles west of Mazama on the east side of 5,477-foot Washington Pass.
Here’s what drivers can do to make travel safer, as suggested by the state:
• On ice and snow, take it slow.
• Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It’s not
worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to save
time.
• Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady
spots. These all have potential to develop black ice that makes driving
hazardous.
• Plan extra time to cross all mountain passes, including
heavily-traveled routes such as I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, US 2 Stevens Pass,
and US 12 White Pass.
• Carry chains and know the traction and chain requirements – Mountain
pass traction and chain requirements are available on highway advisory
signs and highway advisory radio. When those advisories call for chains,
drivers who don’t chain up will face a $500 penalty.
Know Before you go:
• Get information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave
your home or office.
• 511 – This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic,
incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
• Sign up for news. WSDOT offers subscribers more than 25 specialized
e-mail alerts, including news and information for freight haulers,
construction related traffic revisions, project updates from all around
the state, and timely updates on pass conditions. Visit www.wsdot.wa.gov
and click the link for “E-mail updates.”
• Twitter users can add WSDOT to their personal accounts at:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/. Go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/inform/twitter for more
details.
On the road:
• Overhead and roadside electronic signs
• Highway advisory radio – WSDOT advises drivers to program 530AM and
1610AM on your radio.
From the Northwest Insurance Council: If you’re in an accident:
Saturday’s snowstorm and frigid temperatures that wreaked havoc across much of Washington may only be the beginning, according to recent forecasts.
More harsh weather is expected tomorrow night and Wednesday with high temperatures at or near freezing for the entire week. Snowy, icy conditions usually lead to more car accidents and auto insurance claims.
“Knowing what to do immediately following an accident can reduce stress and save vehicle owners time and money,” said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president. “Drivers also can take the headache out of being involved in an auto accident with some advance planning.”
If you are involved in an automobile accident, NW Insurance Council offers the following tips to help you handle the situation effectively.
Immediately following an accident:
• If anyone is injured, call for medical assistance immediately. Provide basic first aid, but don’t move an injured person. Wait for professional medical help.
• Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage to your car such as setting up flares, getting the car off the road and calling a tow truck.
• Call the police or highway patrol and wait for them at the accident scene.
• Write down these key facts to help you with your insurance claim:
– All other drivers’ license and vehicle license plate numbers.
– Other drivers’ insurance company name, policy number, agent phone number.
– Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all drivers and passengers.
– Witnesses’ names, addresses and phone numbers.
• Take photos (from several angles) of the vehicles and the accident scene. Be sure to photograph the license plate of the other vehicle(s).
• Make a rough sketch of the scene and note details of the accident such as time of day, road and weather conditions, street names and direction and speed of travel.
• Call your insurance company to report the accident within 24 hours.
• Get a copy of the police report.
• Keep copies of all documents related to the accident.
Filing a claim:
• Contact your insurance agent or company immediately. Ask the representative what documents are needed to support your claim.
• Keep records of your expenses related to the accident. These expenses may be reimbursable under your policy.
• Maintain copies of all your paperwork, including the police report and repair estimates.
Before an accident:
• Keep a notebook and pen in the glove compartment to help you record important information about the accident. You also may want to include an inexpensive “throwaway” camera.
• Keep your insurance company’s claims reporting phone number in your wallet or purse.
• Always carry your vehicle registration and insurance card.
• If you are allergic to certain medicines or require special medical attention, keep a medical alert card with you at all times – whether you are the driver or a passenger.
To order a free brochure, How to File an Insurance Claim, visit NW Insurance Council at www.nwinsurance.org or call (800) 664-4942 or (206) 624-3330.
Protect pets from cold weather
With the threat of snow and frigid temperatures this weekend, King County Animal Care and Control warns pet owners to protect their animals from the elements. Animals can suffer from frostbite and can get lost or injured during a wind or snow storm.
Here are some suggested cold weather tips for pet owners:
• Wipe pets’ paws after a walk through the snow. They can have frozen fur in between their foot pads and track in chemicals from deicing fluid that can make them sick if ingested.
• Check outdoor water bowls, as they may freeze and prevent your pet from drinking.
• Make sure pets are wearing at least two forms of current identification. This could be any combination, such as a pet license and microchip or a pet license and personal identification tag.
• Ensure your emergency disaster kits include at least three days of pet food, supplies and medications for all the animals in your household. For more information on pet disaster preparedness, visit http://www.petfinder.com/disaster or, contact KCACC for their brochure on disaster preparedness.
