Would you like to help mitigate the invasive Fragrant Water Lilies on Lake Louise? Join like-minded people at one of two meetings to organize and plan. The content will be the same at each meeting. A presentation will be made about why invasive lilies are a problem and what can be done, followed by a Q&A session. Forming a club to help maintain the natural environment of Lake Louise and the surrounding area, and to educate residents about the lake environment, will also be discussed.

Wednesday, April 23, 7 PM – 8:30 PM, Room A at the Dance Barn.

Saturday, April 26, 2 PM – 3:30 PM, same location.

Many of us in Sudden Valley and Geneva are concerned about our wildfire risk and what we can do to protect our home and our community. 

Please join us at an important FREE Wildfire Prep presentation on Monday May 12 from 6:30-8:00PM.  Only 90 minutes long, and you can attend in person at the Dance Barn (recommended) or via Zoom.         

This is a unique, valuable opportunity to receive lots of valuable info from local experts who are giving us their evening to help SV move forward regarding emergency preparedness, and we need to show up!   

Along with other important information, find out:

• How you would be notified of an emergency as well as the current plans for evacuation if needed. 
• What you can do to decrease the possibility of your homeowner fire policy being cancelled due to potential fire risk as has already happened to some Sudden Valley residents.
• What actions you can take to reduce your home’s risk due to wildfire?

There will be a 30 minute question & answer session.  Also, valuable FREE handouts will be provided.

Please spread the word! Share this event with your family, friends and neighbors and invite them to join us. Arranged by the Sudden Valley Community Association Safety Committee, the presenters include:

• Whatcom Conservation District Wildfire Resilience (FIREWISE) Program – Fire behavior, our susceptibility, preparedness, & resilience.  Robert Walters will also show the 13 minute film “Your Home CAN Survive a Wildfire”.

• South Whatcom Fire Authority – Meet our Sudden Valley Fire Chief Mitch Nolze who will provide an update about our SV Fire Station reopening and answer your questions about evacuation plans, ways to protect your home from wildfire, and more!

• A Sudden Valley resident will describe their experience with the FREE Whatcom Conservation District fire risk home assessment.

Sudden Valley Community Association will host a Firewise program starting April 21.

The purpose of a Firewise program is to promote awareness of the dangers of fires
from vegetation surrounding homes and other properties. Because large limbs are difficult to transport, SVCA assists homeowners by providing a free service whereby residents can dispose of tree limbs that have fallen from trees on or surrounding their property. Please note:

• Service is limited to residents.
• No commercial support is available.
• Branches must be placed next to the road and easily accessible to the Firewise crew. Do not block ditches with branches.
• Pickup is limited to tree branches that have naturally broken from a tree. Services do not include limbs that are cut from an established tree.
• The maximum diameter of the limb is six inches. There is no limit to the length of the limb, and crews prefer longer lengths.
• The height of a pile of limbs should be no more than five feet tall.
• Vegetation such as brush, lawn waste, tree roots, bagged leaves, etc. will not be picked up as these items will jam/plug equipment. If you have to rake it, we cannot take it. Property owners will have to dispose of these items if they are left alongside the roadway.

2025 Firewise schedule:

• Gate 5 (Maintenance Zones 51, 52, 53) – Set out debris by April 21
• Gate 3 (Maintenance Zones 3, 4, 5, 6) – Set out debris by April 28
• Gates 9 & 13 (Maintenance Zones 1, 2) – Set out debris by May 5
• Gate 1 (Maintenance Zones 10, 11, 12, 14, 15) – Set out debris by May 12
• Gate 2 (Maintenance Zones 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) – Set out debris by May 19

Pickup for each gate will take place over the course of a week starting on the above dates.

To view the Maintenance Zone Map, click here!

Sudden Valley Maintenance crews recently dedicated three full days to clearing and chipping debris along the Lake Louise Trail. A significant portion of this effort was due to green waste that residents placed along the trail.
 
Please note that this was a one-time effort and that residents should not deposit yard waste or other debris along the trail moving forward. Sudden Valley does not provide routine green waste removal in these areas.

Maintenance is aware that additional work is needed along the section of the trail between the Welcome Center and Marigold Drive. This work is scheduled for a future date, and updates will be provided as they become available.
 
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us maintain the beauty and accessibility of our trails.

Sudden Valley Community Association

Lake Louise Trail will be closed April 1st – 3rd from 7:30AM – 4:00PM.

Crews will be using equipment on the trail to remove downed tree debris and perform other trail maintenance. For the safety of pedestrians, the trail will be closed during these hours.

Sudden Valley Administrative office will be closing at 3:30, Friday, February 14th and will be closed all day, Monday, February 17th for Presidents’ Day.

⚠ WARNING ⚠
DANGER: THIN ICE

🚫 KEEP OFF THE ICE! 🚫

The ponds at Sudden Valley Golf Course are not safe for walking, skating, or any activity on the ice.

⚠ Risk of falling through!
⚠ Serious injury or drowning hazard!

Signs have been posted at every pond at the Sudden Valley Golf Course.

Stay safe – Stay off the ice!

Service Update for Sudden Valley Residents

SSC has assessed current conditions and anticipates servicing most of Sudden Valley as scheduled on Friday, February 7th. However, due to road conditions, crews may be unable to access some steep streets in Gates 3, 5, 9, and 13.

To support residents affected by potential service disruptions, SVCA has placed collection containers at the Barn parking lot for trash disposal. These containers can be accessed by visiting the Rec Center and requesting staff to unlock them for you.

Additionally, if SSC cannot reach your residence and you are unable to wait until your next scheduled pick-up, you may drop off garbage and recycling free of charge at one of SSC’s three Transfer Stations located in Bellingham, Birch Bay, or Cedarville. (Please note: RDS and Republic stations are not included.)

We appreciate your patience and cooperation. Thank you!

As of 9:41 AM on Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Sudden Valley Community Association (SVCA) Maintenance team has been working in split shifts to address the overnight snowfall. Six snow removal vehicles and the smaller UTV machine are actively clearing snow across various gates. The Waste Removal Company, SSC, is assessing road conditions today and will decide regarding Friday’s trash pickup.

The current weather in Bellingham is cloudy with a temperature of 27°F (-3°C). Today’s forecast predicts cold conditions with decreasing clouds, a high of 37°F (3°C), and a low of 17°F (-8°C).

🚧 Snow Removal Operations & Safety

✅ Plowing Schedule – Main roads will be cleared first, followed by secondary roads and then residential roads. Please be patient as crews work through priority routes. For a full list of Sudden Valley roads and their designations, please see the Snow Response Plan Street List and the full Snow Response Plan Street Map.
✅ Keep Roads Clear – Park vehicles in driveways, not on streets or mailbox sites, to allow plows full access. Vehicles left in roadways or in front of mailboxes may be towed.
✅ Snow Berms & Driveways – Plowing may create berms at driveway entrances. Residents are responsible for clearing their own driveways. Avoid shoveling snow back into the road.

🚨 Winter Safety Tips

🔹 Drive Cautiously – Roads may be icy. Use snow tires or chains as needed, and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy snowfall.
🔹 Emergency Preparedness – Keep extra food, water, blankets, and flashlights in case of power outages.
🔹 Watch for Ice Patches – Black ice can form even after plowing. Walk and drive carefully.
🔹 Check on Neighbors – Look out for elderly or vulnerable residents who may need assistance with snow removal or supplies.

🛑 Important Reminders

🚫 No Pushing Snow into Roads – Doing so creates hazards and may result in fines.
🚫 Garbage Collection Delays – Expect potential delays in waste pickup due to weather conditions. Secure bins properly.
🚫 Stay Updated – Check the Sudden Valley Community Association website and social media for real-time updates on road conditions and plowing schedules.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work to keep our community safe and accessible. If you have urgent concerns, please contact the SVCA office at (360) 734-6430. For additional information on Sudden Valley snow removal, please see the updated Snow Response Plan 2024-2025.

Stay warm, stay safe, and let’s get through this winter together! ❄️

— Sudden Valley Community Association 🚜

Dear Sudden Valley Residents,

With significant snowfall possible over the next week, our snow removal teams will actively work to keep roads safe and accessible.

We will post updates on road conditions on SuddenValley.com and duplicate these announcements on the Sudden Valley Facebook page. The SVCA Hotline is also used to communicate road condition updates during weather events. You can reach the hotline by calling 360-746-7010. eBlasts are also used to alert the community when severe weather is expected. Visit forecast.weather.gov for the most up-to-date forecast information.

In addition, ice melt can be purchased at the Sudden Valley Welcome Center at 1850 Lake Whatcom Blvd. We are open Mon-Fri, 8:30AM to 4:30PM.

Please review the following cautions, tips, and advisories to help ensure a smooth and efficient operation:

🚧 Snow Removal Operations & Safety

✅ Plowing Schedule – Main roads will be cleared first, followed by secondary roads and then residential roads. Please be patient as crews work through priority routes. For a full list of Sudden Valley roads and their designations, please see the Snow Response Plan Street List and the full Snow Response Plan Street Map.
✅ Keep Roads Clear – Park vehicles in driveways, not on streets or mailbox sites, to allow plows full access. Vehicles left in roadways or in front of mailboxes may be towed.
✅ Snow Berms & Driveways – Plowing may create berms at driveway entrances. Residents are responsible for clearing their own driveways. Avoid shoveling snow back into the road.

🚨 Winter Safety Tips

🔹 Drive Cautiously – Roads may be icy. Use snow tires or chains as needed, and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy snowfall.
🔹 Emergency Preparedness – Keep extra food, water, blankets, and flashlights in case of power outages.
🔹 Watch for Ice Patches – Black ice can form even after plowing. Walk and drive carefully.
🔹 Check on Neighbors – Look out for elderly or vulnerable residents who may need assistance with snow removal or supplies.

🛑 Important Reminders

🚫 No Pushing Snow into Roads – Doing so creates hazards and may result in fines.
🚫 Garbage Collection Delays – Expect potential delays in waste pickup due to weather conditions. Secure bins properly.
🚫 Stay Updated – Check the Sudden Valley Community Association website and social media for real-time updates on road conditions and plowing schedules.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work to keep our community safe and accessible. If you have urgent concerns, please contact the SVCA office at (360) 734-6430. For additional information on Sudden Valley snow removal, please see the updated Snow Response Plan 2024-2025.

Stay warm, stay safe, and let’s get through this winter together! ❄️

— Sudden Valley Community Association 🚜