Peninsula weathers the weather

Snow had not caused any major traffic snarls on the North Olympic Peninsula on Sunday, but all areas were bracing for the cold days ahead.

About 2 to 4 inches fell on the Peninsula from Port Angeles east to Port Townsend.

The West End was hit the hardest, with 6 to 8 inches of snow.

Throughout the Peninsula high winds continued, but no power outages were reported on Sunday.

In Port Angeles, a few cars went off the road or were stuck at Pine Street and U.S. Highway 101, Port Angeles Police Detective Jesse Winfield said.

In unincorporated Clallam County, no major wrecks were reported either, Deputy Michael Dick said.

“Everyone seemed to really be driving carefully,” he said.

“We were a little lucky because it was a Sunday, and so not that many people had to be out on the roads, but those that were seemed to be driving well within the speed limit.

“We had a few calls about cars off the road, but no major injury wrecks.”

Both Winfield and Dick attributed the lack of wrecks to the city and county public works crews getting the streets cleared.

“It was a combination of those crews getting out there and plowing the roads, along with the people driving responsibly,” Dick said.

“Those crews deserve a lot of credit for the fact that we have had no calls for wrecks since 7 a.m.”

Port Angeles had about 2 to 4 inches of snow, Winfield said.

Port Townsend also got about 2 to 4 inches of snow, Port Townsend Police Sgt. Ed Green said.

“The city crews did a great job getting the roads cleared up, and we really have seen no problems from it,” Green said.

Temperatures were expected to remain icy and below freezing throughout the rest of the week, Johnny Burg, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said.

On Highway 101 and state Highway 112, the only closure was on Friday in West Jefferson County, said Emily Pace, spokeswoman for state Department of Transportation.

“We have crews out there 24 hours a day looking for problem spots and applying de-icer and sand as needed,” she said.

“We also have additional crews on if we need them to help clear the roads.

“We just need people to be aware that if there is ice on their windshields, there might be ice on the roadway.

“Drivers on ice and snow take it slow, and also allow extra time to get to your destination.”

Jack Reid, roads operation manager for Jefferson County, said the county would also have crews ready to deal with the ice.

“If it builds up during the day, we’ll make sure and have the sand trucks out there to make sure it is treated and taken care of,” Reid said.

Forks had the most snow on the Peninsula, with between 6 and 8 inches, Mayor Nedra Reed said.

“The winds are really blowing, but it looks like a winter wonderland out there. It is really quite pretty,” she said.

“And there are no power outages, and there haven’t been any major wrecks or anything.”

She said the Clallam County Public Utility District has worked in the past few years to maintain the power lines and to cut trees away from the lines.

“We don’t have nearly the number of power outages that we used to,” Reed said.

All power outages were taken care of on the Peninsula by Saturday.

The Coast Guard had regained access to Ediz Hook late on Saturday afternoon after waves sloshed over the rock barriers and flooded the road.

“We have all our access regained and the only thing we have going on out here are high winds,” Petty Officer Peter Williams said.

“The winds out here are going about 25 knots.”

__________

Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige. dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris to her grandson, Damien Millet, 9, after it was located with a metal detector and dug from the sand at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles on Wednesday. They were combing the beach in search of whatever hidden treasures they could find. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Beach combing

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris… Continue reading

Six Peninsula school measures passing

Sequim voters approve bond, levy

Port Townsend, Chimacum pass school levies

Funds will support facilities, supplies, transportation

Counties can collect up to $1.80 of property tax per $1,000 of assessed value, but they are only allowed to increase their property tax collection amount by 1 percent each year, excluding new construction, without voter approval.
Clallam already eyeing 2026 cuts

If county can’t raise revenue, it may cut employees, services

Port Angeles School Board to conduct community conversation

Port Angeles School Board members will be available to… Continue reading

After-school art program returns to Stevens Middle School

Let’s Make Art, a free after-school program at Stevens… Continue reading

Department of Licensing offices to be closed

PORT ANGELES – The Department of Licensing office of the Clallam County… Continue reading

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of Sequim, open election ballots on Tuesday at the courthouse in Port Angeles.
Ballot sorting in Port Angeles

Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of… Continue reading

Jefferson County board to select interim sheriff

Chosen candidate will serve until next election

State funding challenges dominate legislative conversations

Multiple bills may have local relevance

PA’s Platypus Marine looks to expansion

Growth benefits local economy