South Kitsap Snow Saturday night (Dec. 20, 2008)
Snow report, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008
Snow, which had tapered off in the morning, picked up again around noon in South Kitsap, resulting in further accumulation. As of Sunday at 2 p.m., the Sunnyslope area had a foot of snow total accumulation (since Wednesday).
The main roads were plowed, thanks to crews working through the night in Port Orchard. One driver, Daniel Woods of South Kitsap, had driven all the way from Tacoma with no problem, only to get snagged in deep snow on the shoulder at the corner of Sedgwick and Sidney roads.
“I just came around the corner. I wasn’t even going that fast. I got my front tire stuck in the deep snow, and it just pulled my tires off the road,” Woods said.
Woods, his brother Art Burnett and Chris Simonson, who works at Port Orchard Market near where the car got stuck, dug the tires free, and Woods was on his way.
Woods said Highway 16 from Tacoma was passable but down to a single lane in some areas.
At Van Zee Park in Port Orchard, sledders and snow boarders took advantage of the deep snow and steep hill below the water tower.
“I love it. I wish it would stay around longer,” said Larry Mitchell, there with his daughter Marly and dog Jose. “I like it better than rain.”
“It’s awesome,” said snowboarder Travis Larson. “This is the most snow I’ve seen around here in a long time, since 1996.”
Larson and buddies Logan Davis and Nathan Arns said the quality of the snow was every bit good as at Crystal Mountain … and the price was right.
Among the businesses that remained open despite the snow, Big 5 sporting goods in Port Orchard was doing brisk business in all manner of snow gear and equipment. The store sold out of sleds Saturday, but was expecting a new shipment Monday, manager Shelly Miranti said. Propane and heavy socks were other hot sellers (pun intended).
Below: A ruler in a yard at McCormick Woods showed 10.5 inches of snow at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008. As snow has continued to fall all afternoon, I’m pretty sure we’ve got a foot by now. (Submit your snow pix, videos and comments at kitsapsun.com. Stay warm. Is everyone out there OK?
Any body in PO remember the snow of January 1969? Now, that was a winter, then there was Jan 1950 for the oldsters!
I remember the 1996 storm. It was around Christmas, snow and ice big time. Our steep driveway was all ice, and a tree fell down across it. We were out of power for some time. My sister-in-law and her son got stuck with us. Cabin fever big time.
I think there was also a big storm in 1990. Was that the Inaugural Day storm? I seem to remember another power outage, and this time, my mother (from the East Coast) was stuck with us, all sleeping by the fire in the living room – the only warm place in the house.
But to tell you the truth, since I have lived in Port Orchard (1979) I have not seen snow this deep or persistent.
What happened in 1950?
Notice they are calling it “climate change” now, not “global warming”
The past several winters have been worse than normal (seems to me).
Glad folks are being safe out there. I got stuck on Friday on the Babydoll Road, where the road turns east. Lost my momentum going up and slid back down. No damage. Did have to wait for a delivery of chains and my son and his dad to give me a little push to get out of where I stopped. I was trying to be kind to other drivers by getting out of the way completely, but got stuck in the unplowed snow.
Chained up, but blew a chain on Saturday. So I’m sticking to the main roads (work, grocery store, and maybe a little Christmas shopping trip Tuesday evening).
Stay safe everyone.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
When we moved here in Dec. 1996, our realtor told us it rarely snows and it’s light or gone within days when it does. We arrived after a six day trek across country. Within days, we saw large snowflakes falling and knew what it meant. Shortly thereafter, we had snow up to our waists and were scratching our heads. Because we were accustomed to this type of weather, we wondered where the snow plows were to get us out. We were told by a neighbour that no more than one existed in the county.
In a development with two hilly roads down to the main drag, we thought nothing of taking our car into main town Silverdale to explore where we’d moved. It was a ghost town’ no one out, everything closed. When I saw the closed Starbucks at only 3p, I declared that we should turn back towards Chicago. The snow was gone within days as promised, but relentless rain followed. People around us complained, yet we were thrilled to be free of the snow.
Twelve years later, we’re once again snowbound where there is little hope of getting down, up, then out to the main drag without great effort. Other residents have apparently decided to enjoy the beauty and snow and avoid unnecessary danger. Parents and children were out today on sleds and snowboards. We shared a photo from our yard with the Sun.
If you need to go out, go. But if not, enjoy and be safe.
A long time resident of the area told me that they used to get a lot of snow years ago. This might be more like it was in the 50’s and 60’s. I don’t know. Like RV, I didn’t realize when we bought our home that it would be in a snow belt. Now when they predict snowfall I always know that my home will get the upper limit. I supsect it might be around 24 inches there. We haven’t been home for a few days. We’ve holed up with friends in Tacoma to wait it out. Needed to be close to SeaTac to nab the kids when they made it home. One had his flight cancelled twice out of Chicago. He reminded me that Chicago is cold in the winter, especially when you sleep on the floor.
Thousands of people were stuck at SeaTac when we were there picking up the kid. Now it looks like some won’t make it out in time to get home for Christmas. So sad.
I love walking and playing in the snow. I love the sense of safety and security that you feel when you don’t have to go anywhere and can just stay in and enjoy the family. I don’t appreciate how treacherous and inconvenient it can be for so many.
Wishing everyone the best. Like RV said, be safe.
I love walking and playing in the snow. I love the sense of safety and security that you feel when you don’t have to go anywhere and can just stay in and enjoy the family. I don’t appreciate how treacherous and inconvenient it can be for so many.
Is this truly how you feel when safely ensconced in your home, Mary? If so, it seems to run counter to the altruistic tone which runs through many of your comments.
I have read the blogs occasionally through the year, and find myself sometimes agreeing or disagreeing with Mary Colborn, one thing you can say about her is she is honest and believes in all projects she gets involved in. I will her ideas are often scattered, but it seems like her heart is in the right place.
However, her last blog was very benign, so I wonder why RV felt the need to slam her (or I may be misunderstanding the above entry).
Mary was expressing her joy at the beauty of the snowfall, her children returning to town for Christmas, and the thankfulness for goood friends. Why not let happiness be happiness for awhile and let the snark take a rest for a few days?
Happy Holidays to all.
(or I may be misunderstanding the above entry).
Perhaps better to ask before assuming?
I don’t understand the entry by RV, either. It’s strange to have to defend one’s life so frequently. Christmas had elements of both – the altruistic touch and the time with family. Actually, I believe that the truly best Christmases always have both! For isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
Anyway, we ended up with somewhere around 18-24 inches of snow, which cancelled some events. I shoveled a good bit of snow, which was fun. We were snowed in for a couple of days and spent that time making cookies, playing games with the kids, talking and watching movies.
My son caught a cold from his stay on the Chicago floor and slept through most of Christmas Day. After insuring his comfort, I did manage to get out and help with the Christmas dinner for $1.00 fundraiser for Helpline at Moondogs Too.
At the restaurant, I greeted guests and served soft drinks, coffee, tea and cocoa. I loved waiting on the diners. It was such a joyful way to spend Christmas Day. Since my son was so sniffly, he couldn’t help, so I let him sleep in and had dinner with him later in the day when he felt better.
The company at Moondogs Too was great, whether volunteers or diners. Charlotte, Ray and Casey Garrido spent the day serving food, clearing tables and washing dishes. Charlotte’s old colleague, Larry Walker came and spent about five hours washing dishes and Lary Coppolla and his little boy came and helped serve. It was such a good day all round and I was honored to be in such rich company.
I wish the weather hadn’t kept so many away. We had a number of other volunteers who couldn’t navigate treacherous hills and I suspect several diners, who needed the dinner, but couldn’t risk the roads.
All good. Merry Christmas
“… I did manage to get out and help with the Christmas dinner for $1.00 fundraiser for Helpline at Moondogs Too.
… I greeted guests and served soft drinks, coffee, tea and cocoa. … such a joyful way to spend Christmas Day. …
The company at Moondogs Too was great… Charlotte, Ray and Casey Garrido spent the day serving food, clearing tables and washing dishes. Charlotte’s old colleague, Larry Walker came and spent about five hours washing dishes and Lary Coppolla and his little boy came and helped serve. … a good day all round…”
Congratulations Port Orchard/South Kitsap, Mary for reporting the heart warming day you had, helped by like minded and caring people!
Its unusual to have so many city and county government folks helping out for such a good cause at such a time…something we should all look at doing, if we haven’t already done so.
Congratulations to you all for adding to the spirit behind Christmas…that of sharing and giving of yourself. GOOD FOR YOU!!!
Sharon O’Hara
Thank you.