The City of Bellingham is open for business on Friday, Jan. 17. Some City facilities may have limited hours or be closed due to minimum staffing requirements. City Hall, the Bellingham Public Library, and the Whatcom Museum are open, however.
All locations of the Bellingham Public Library will open at regularly scheduled times of 10 a.m. today. Any library schedule changes or cancellation of individual programs will be announced via the library website and social media. Library website: www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org; Library Facebook: www.facebook.com/bellinghampubliclibrarywa/; Library Twitter: www.twitter.com/BPLConnects
Several park facilities are closed today or on limited hours. Arne Hanna Aquatics Center is open today with normal programming. Civic Stadium remains closed. Pre-school open gym is open. Big Rock Park, Bayview Cemetery, Lake Padden Golf Course and the Civic Skate Park are closed.
Road update
City crews worked overnight to clear snow routes and arterials after snow fell twice. As of 8 a.m. this morning, all snow routes have been covered; there is enough salt and brine that those streets should clear quickly. There are some areas of ice around town. Crews will continue to clear secondary arterials and smaller residential streets, before transitioning in preparation for changing weather.
Forecasts call for warmer temperatures and high winds, which could require downed tree removal.
The City of Bellingham currently has three large trucks with sanders and plows, three small trucks with sanders and plows, and two salt brine trucks applying material and working the streets. Crews are starting to prepare for localized flooding that is likely to occur from catch basins that have been buried in snow.
To report streets needing attention, phone (360) 778-7700 or email AskPW@cob.org. For more information on City snow routes, visit https://www.cob.org/services/planning/transportation-planning/snow-and-ice-removal
Severe weather shelters
Winter and severe weather shelters are operational tonight.
The Lighthouse Mission Ministries shelters and Civic Field women’s shelter are operating usual hours. Check in for these shelters is at 1012 W. Holly Street at 6:30 p.m.
Northwest Youth Services Shelter is also open during the winter season. This shelter is for youth ages 13-24. Check in begins at 8 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Youth can check in at 2500 E St. in the basement of First Congregational Church.
In addition, Fountain Community Church (FCC) is operating a severe weather shelter for men, with additional capacity for families if needed. Please go to 1012 W Holly St. by 6:30 p.m. at the latest. Once checked in, guests will be transported to FCC’s shelter location. Tonight is the last night this shelter will be open.
Severe weather shelters are coordinated by the Whatcom County Health Department and are run by volunteers. Severe weather shelters operate when a temperature of 28°F is forecasted as the overnight low and there is limited or no capacity at the Lighthouse Mission or Women’s Winter Shelter. Precipitation and wind chill are also considered when activating severe weather shelters on nights when the temperature threshold is not met.
Up-to-date winter shelter information can be found at www.whatcomcounty.us/homelessshelter or by calling the Emergency Winter Shelter Hotline at (360) 788-7983.
