How to Prepare & Assist
አማርኛ • اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ • 繁体字 • 简体中文 • ភាសាខ្មែរ • 한국어 • Oromiffa • русский язык • af-Soomaali • Español • Tagalog • ትግርኛ • Tiếng việt • English
Updated January 5, 2024
Stay aware and prepare your home and travel plans for the unexpected. Clear your sidewalks of snow and ice. Assist those who need help.
Before Snow and Ice
Prepare your home for the unexpected.
- Download the Winter Storm Checklist to help you prepare. Listen to the weather forecast and have a plan if severe weather strikes.
- Stock up before the storm. Have a family emergency plan, cell phone and portable charger, battery-operated radio, snow shovel, bag of street salt, warm clothes, extra blankets, flashlights, first aid kit, and supply of food/water/medicine for at least three days.
Prepare
Stock up before the storm. Have a snow shovel, bag of street salt, warm clothes, extra blankets, flashlights, first aid kit, and supply of food/water/medicine for at least three days.
Before it Freezes
Sprinkle rock salt (or another environmentally friendly product) on your sidewalk, walkways, and curb ramps to prevent ice from forming.
When it Snows – Clear Sidewalks
Clear sidewalks in front of your home or business every 12 hours before snow turns to ice.
Check on your Neighbor
Check in with your neighbor if you know they could use your help. Work together and come up with a plan to ensure your block of sidewalk, storm drains, and corner curb ramps are clear of snow/ice.
Snow Shoveling Safety Tips
Avoid injury! Make sure you remove snow and ice safely with these resources:
- Winter Weather - Hazards/Precautions | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
- Tips for safe snow shoveling - Mayo Clinic Health System
- Snow Shovel Safety - National Safety Council (nsc.org)
- Digging Out: 5 Ways to Prepare Your Health to Shovel Snow | Blogs | CDC
Warning: The City is not responsible for property damage or injuries that result from shoveling snow on sidewalks.
Volunteer for our neighborhood Snow Shoveling Program
Want to volunteer to help your neighbors in need this winter? The City of Seattle has launched a pilot program to support community snow shoveling. The goal is to help seniors and people with mobility challenges get out the door and where they need to go by clearing the sidewalks and walkways near their homes.
If you are willing to help a neighbor in need when snow and ice arrive this winter, please register with our customer care team by emailing 684-Road@seattle.gov or calling (206) 684-7623.
You can save this information by downloading our Neighbors Helping Neighbors Show Shoveling Program flyer.
Translated Flyers:
አማርኛ/Amharic
繁体字/Traditional Chinese
简体中文/Simplified Chinese
Oromiffa
af-Soomaali
Español
Tagalog
ትግርኛ/Tigrinya
Tiếng việt
NOTE: Earlier this year, as part of this pilot program, we offered free snow shoveling supplies. We have reached the maximum number of requests for free snow shoveling supplies and are no longer accepting new requests for shovels and ice melt for this winter.
Request Snow Shoveling Help
People in need of help removing snow and ice from the sidewalks and walkways around their homes can request help from the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Snow Shoveling Program!
If you'd like to sign up to receive volunteer snow shoveling help in the event of snow and ice this winter, please register with our customer care team by emailing 684-Road@seattle.gov or calling (206) 684-7623. We will do our best to connect you with a volunteer in your neighborhood before winter weather arrives.