Here comes the first big chill of the season.
As of Tuesday, Jan. 9, The National Weather Service predicted overnight lows plunging below 30 degrees by Thursday night, with temperatures remaining well below the freezing level through the weekend. Snow mixed with rain is likely or possible throughout that period.
High winds had knocked out power for many Islanders over Monday and Tuesday, but power had been mostly restored by Wednesday morning.
Resources are available for islanders during this inclement weather.
Services
The Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness will continue serving community dinners at the Vashon Presbyterian Church from Monday to Friday at 5 p.m. at 17708 Vashon Highway, SW. Meanwhile, the Methodist Church will offer free hot showers at 17928 Vashon Highway SW on Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. (before this article is published in print) and Thursday from noon to 3 p.m.
Places to stay warm during the day
While The Beachcomber is not aware of any emergency overnight sheltering available on the island, VashonBePrepared will send alerts regarding any day-time warming stations as they become available. Visit vashonbeprepared.org/en-us/alerts for more information.
You can also sign up for Voice of Vashon emergency alerts for information on available warming stations by visiting voiceofvashon.org/alertsignup.
For more information or help, call…
• Vashon Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness:
• St Vincent de Paul Vashon:
• Vashon Youth and Family Services:
• King County: 211
School district transportation
The Vashon Island School District monitors weather forecasts and will notify families of late starts or school closures through Parent Square emails and texts, FlashAlert, TV and radio and the school district website.
In the event of a late start, school will begin 1.5 hours later than usual; this means bus pick-up schedules will be delayed by 1.5 hours, too. All before-school activities would be cancelled, but school will dismiss at the normal time.
In the event of a school closure, all schools will close for that day only, and all scheduled after school activities will be cancelled. The district may start with a 1.5 hour delay to see if weather improves before calling a school closure.
