DECEMBER 30TH – SNOW RESPONSE UPDATE

Weather Alerts

Overnight snow fell in varying amounts in Sudden Valley with upwards of 8-12 inches at higher elevations with snow continuing to fall. Temperatures are currently around 25 degrees. The current NOAA forecast calls for additional snowfall of a couple inches today and we are currently in a Winter Storm Warning until Noon today.

The SVCA Snow Crew and the contracted Baby Plow began plowing efforts early this morning to start clearing roads. The crews will be focused on high priority, main roads first and will continue to focus on those roads until conditions on them improve. Secondary roads will begin being plowed once high priority roads have been sufficiently dealt with. 

We ask that you assist the plowing effort by either staying off the roads or ensuring your cars are located off the roadway in designated parking areas and your private driveways. Vehicles blocking the plows or emergency services can have a devastating impact. If you must abandon your car, please notify Security Dispatch immediately at 360-715-2449 and give your contact info, the location of the vehicle, along with the make and model.

All of the new snow has fallen on roads that were already covered with compact snow and ice. As a result, road conditions are poor and could continue to deteriorate as additional snow falls. Please stay home if you can as emergency services are all stretched thin and can be delayed in their ability to provide assistance. If you must travel, go S-L-O-W. Please ensure you have a winter emergency kit in your vehicle if you decide to travel. Whatcom County has made the same request for county roads.

Due to the continuance of inclement weather, there are reports of current power outages in various areas of Sudden Valley. If you lose power, it is recommended to open multiple faucets at a slight drip to help ensure pipes do not freeze in your house. The additional snowfall will also continue to put additional snow load on trees in the neighborhood which could cause trees, limbs, and/or branches to fall. To report a tree that has fallen over the roadway please notify Security Dispatch at 360-715-2449. Please provide them with the location and approx. size and diameter of the tree.

Current Forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-122.34776688669807&lat=48.72380314453616#.Yc3Xf2jMJPY

Current Winter Storm Warning: https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=WAZ503&warncounty=WAC073&firewxzone=WAZ656&local_place1=6%20Miles%20ESE%20Bellingham%20WA&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning&lat=48.7238&lon=-122.3478#.Yc3YGmjMJPY

Winter Emergency Car Kit Info: https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountainpasses/emergencycarkit

Power Outage Tips: https://www.ready.gov/power-outages

To see images from around Bellingham, the following link will take you to a page with WSDOT cameras: http://whatcomcountywx.com/bellingham-area/

SVCA Board of Directors is Excited to Announce Dan Pike as our new General Manager

Board of Directors,

The SVCA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Pike as the community’s new General Manager. Dan brings significant credentials to SVCA’s General Manager position, with an impressive resume of community and regional leadership experience. Dan is well versed in the aspects of organizational management, transportation and community planning, project management, and effective community communications.

Dan has owned his own consulting business specializing in strategic management, communications, and organizational sustainability, assisting organizations identify best management practices and build interagency partnerships. Dan was elected by the residents of the city of Bellingham to serve as the Mayor. He has served as the Executive Director of Planning and Community Development for Pierce Transit as well as the Strategic Planning Program Manager for the Port of Seattle. Additionally, Dan has served as the Transportation Director for the Skagit Council of Governments and was also the Freight Action Strategies Corridor Project Manager for the Washington State Department of Transportation.

We are excited that Dan has agreed to serve as the General Manager. Dan’s knowledge of the local region will provide our Association with the ability to develop and build solid partnerships with outside entities and agencies that will support the sustainability of our Community. He is committed to a community culture of honesty, respect, and inclusion, as well as our strategic goal of implementing proper planning procedures to ensure the membership has a voice in the future of our Community.

Dan’s first day will be Monday, Jan. 3rd. The Board and Executives would like to thank our Management Team for all of their hard work in continuing to ensure the smooth day-to-day operations of the community continued in the absence of a General Manager. The Board would also like to thank the Management Team for all their efforts assisting the Board in interviewing and providing valuable feedback on the candidates for the General Manager position. The Board and Management Team feel confident that the collaborative process utilized in selecting a new General Manager has ensured we have identified the most qualified candidate for this position.

I would also like to thank the community for their patience during this period of transition. Change is not always easy and does not always go as planned, but the Board put a plan in place and continued to follow through on that plan until it reached a successful conclusion. We are confident that the membership will admire and appreciate the leadership and experience that Dan brings to our Community.

The SVCA Board of Directors

Garbage Collection

Community Announcements

Sanitary Service Company has advised that this week’s garbage & recycling collection (December 31st) will be done, but there are some streets that could be inaccessible to their trucks. SSC will not know for certain if they will miss a collection due to road conditions until they attempt pickup.

If there is a missed collection, SSC will pick up those additional loads at no extra charge during next week’s pickup.

12/27 Snow Response – Admin closed 12/28

Community Announcements

Currently, many of Sudden Valley’s roads are hard-packed snow and ice, resulting in treacherous diving conditions. SVCA’s Snow Crew will be back out tomorrow, but the low temperatures will continue to impact driving conditions through the New Year.

Residents are encouraged to stay off the roads, if possible, due to poor road conditions. Vehicles blocking the plows or emergency services can have a devastating impact. If you must abandon your car, please notify Security at 360-603-6136 and give your contact info, the location of the vehicle, along with the make and model. 

Finally, the Administration offices will be closed Tuesday 12/28 due to the weather. Staff will be working remotely and can be reached at 360-734-6430.