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Weather Alert Updates
Be Prepared Prior to a Wind Event
- Check batteries in flashlights, lanterns and battery-operated candles and store them in an accessible location.
- Charge your cell phone, portable chargers, etc.
- Prepare the outside of your house by securing garbage cans, patio furniture, and other outdoor items and trimming tree branches away from your house.
- Know how to report or view the status of a power outage with your electric company – myavista.com/outage, inlandpower.com, verawaterandpower.com/outages, modernelectricwater.com.
During or After a Wind Event
- Never touch downed power lines, stay far away and report them to the power company or 911.
- Do not drive, wade or walk through flooded areas, as a small amount of water can stall your car.
- Eliminate unnecessary travel. If you need to drive and encounter a traffic light impacted by a power outage, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
- Never use generators or barbeque grills inside. These can cause CO poisoning which is deadly.
- Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs who might need additional assistance.
- If trees, limbs or other debris is blocking the street or public right-a-way, report the concern.
Removing Trees and Debris After a Storm
City road crews will clear debris from roads and rights-of-way when it is safe to do so after a weather event. The City will remove trees that were originally rooted on city property and right-of-way and will reposition trees originally rooted on private property that have fallen on city property. Private property owners are responsible for removing any fallen trees that were originally rooted on private property.
How to Report a Concern
- During regular business hours: Submit via SV Express online or download the “Spokane Valley 311” app or call the City at 509-720-5000
- During evenings, weekends and holidays: If non-urgent, leave the City a voicemail at 509-720-5000. If urgent, Call Crime Check at 509- 456-2233
- Emergencies: Dial 911
- Power companies: myavista.com/outage, inlandpower.com, verawaterandpower.com/outages, modernelectricwater.com.
Learn About Snow and Ice Response
Visit the snow removal webpage to learn more about how the City prepares for and responds to freezing temperatures and snow.
View a map of primary snowplow routes. When driving near snowplows, please leave room and approach with caution.
Be Prepared and Safe
- Pre-purchase supplies. Have snow shovels or a working snowblower and consider buying some salt or sand.
- Drive less. In winter weather, stay home if you are able. If you must drive, drive slowly and leave room between you and the vehicle in front of you. Learn more tips about winter driving from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
- Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use generators or gas or charcoal grills inside the house. Carbon monoxide levels build quickly and are a silent killer.
- Protect your pipes. When the temperatures are below freezing, wrap outdoor and indoor pipes with tape, cloth or other insulating materials. Know where your water shut-offs are located in case of an emergency.
Be a Good Neighbor
- Move vehicles off the street. Make room for snowplows by clearing the street of any vehicles or obstructions.
- Clear your sidewalks. Help neighbors get around safely by clearing sidewalks near your home or business. Learn more about the city’s regulations on the snow removal sidewalk webpage.
- Clear your storm drains. Heavy snow can block storm drains and cause localized flooding. Help the community by clearing off storm drains of snow and debris near your home or business.
- Take care of each other. During extreme weather, check in with neighbors, especially seniors, to see if they need help.
Report an Issue
Report a snow or ice concern by submitting a request for service through SVexpress 24/7. Visit SpokaneValleyWA.gov/311 or download the “SVexpress311” app at Apple or Google Play stores.
Find a Shelter
For those in need of shelter or safe parking on cold nights, visit ShelterMeSpokane.org or the city’s housing and homelessness webpage for links to resources.
Connect With Our Partners
Utilities and curbside trash removal in Spokane Valley are provided by independent entities. Your location determines some of the providers. Find more information and helpful links to electricity, natural gas, internet, garbage and recycling, sewer, cable, and water on the city’s utilities webpage.
Stay Indoors
During extreme cold temperatures, avoid outside activities as much as possible.
Dress for Cold Weather
Wear appropriate clothing, including dressing in layers and wearing waterproof footwear, a hat and gloves if you must be outside.
Find Shelters and Warming Centers
- Find shelter locations and vacancies at ShelterMeSpokane.org. Additional shelter capacity is available over the next week through both existing providers and new partnerships with faith-based organizations, including Hope House, Family Promise, Compassionate Addiction Treatment, TRAC, Liberty Park Methodist, and New Apostolic. Both new church spaces will be operated by Jewels Helping Hands. Compassionate Addiction Treatment (CAT) will operate the Cannon Street Shelter temporarily.
- Local libraries are available for warming during business hours. The Spokane Valley Library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 -5 p.m. on Sunday. Libraries are closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Get free transportation to/from shelters via the Spokane Transit Authority or call the Salvation Army at 509-280-6860 or 509-280-6894 for a ride.
- Find links to more resources on the city's Housing and Homelessness webpage at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/HH.
Know the Signs of Frostbite
Extreme cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Review the graphic at the bottom of this webpage for more information.
Avoid Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
Never use generators or barbeque grills inside. These can cause CO poisoning which is deadly.
Reduce the Risk of Fire
Always keep at least three feet of space around any space heater.
Protect Your Pipes
Water within fire sprinklers and pipes can freeze when temperatures are extremely low. The pipes can possibly break once the water thaws. Keep temperatures above 50 degrees, keep cabinets that enclose water pipes open, and consider keeping the faucets on to a slow drip. Wrap outside faucets and hose bibs. Be sure to know where your water shutoff is located in the event of an emergency.
Beat the Heat!
As the weather heats up, here are a few quick reminders on staying cool and safe.
- Reduce your time in the sun
- Spend more time in air-conditioned places
- Cover windows that receive direct sun
- Dress in lightweight clothing
- Drink fluids like water, sports drinks and juices and avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Bring your body temperature down with a cool shower, bath or sponge off with cool water
- Check in on your elderly neighbors and relatives and encourage them to take these precautions
- Never leave children or pets in parked cars when the temperature is high
- Childproof open windows
Go for a Swim or Splash Around
- Visit one of Spokane Valley’s three public swimming pools. Find schedules and more details at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Pools.
- Cool off and have fun in a splash pad at Discovery Playground, Edgecliff Park, Greenacres Park and Browns Park.
- Visit Splash Down Family Water Park.
Always use extreme caution around water. Review these water safety tips from the American Red Cross.
Cooling Centers
Visiting air-conditioned spaces like shopping malls, libraries and movie theaters is a great way to cool down in the heat. The Trent Avenue Resource Center, located at 4320 E. Trent Avenue, has activated surge capacity for those seeking relief from the heat, and you can find a directory of cooling centers on the Spokane Regional Health District website. Spokane Transit Authority (STA) will offer fare exceptions to riders going to and from a cooling space when the temperature is 95 degrees or above.