Nearly done digging? Get ready for rain

Cross your fingers and knock on wood because the worst of the recent winter weather seems finally to be over.

But don't put away those shovels just yet. Emergency-management officials are asking able-bodied residents to pitch in and help clear storm drains to give rain and melting snow a clear path so water doesn't flood roads and basements.

Urban flooding and the potential for collapsing roofs are now top concerns as we head into the weekend with a forecast calling for even more snow and rain showers.

For those having flashbacks to the catastrophic landslides in winter 1996 and the widespread urban flooding after the Hanukkah Eve wind storm in December 2006, Cliff Mass has words of comfort:

"This is a totally different animal" from those storms, said the University of Washington professor of atmospheric sciences, noting that the ground isn't nearly as saturated with water as in years past. "I don't think we're going to have a huge urban-flooding problem; this time I don't see a huge threat."

Gradually warming temperatures should prevent a quick melt, Mass said. By Saturday night, most roads should be clear of ice and snow.

"We can get more snow [today], so it's not over yet, though the worst is over now," he said.

While flat-roofed garages, carports and sheds could crumble under the weight of rain-soaked snow, it's unlikely to cause similar-type roofs on apartment and retail buildings to collapse provided they've been well-maintained, said Darrell Hay, a Snohomish County home inspector.

Owners of marginal buildings that had "sagging issues before the snow ever showed up" have the most to fear, Hay said. "But I don't think we'll see wholesale collapses of apartment buildings or anything unless we get an unbelievable amount of water."

However, the state Department of Ecology is warning boat owners that snow accumulation followed by rain can weigh down a boat. In La Conner on Tuesday night, a cabin cruiser sank at its mooring in Shelter Bay Marina, causing not only damage to the boat but a diesel-fuel spill.

"We're seeing many boats, covered in snow, riding low in the water," Zach Gaston, an Ecology spill responder, said in a news release. "If you have a boat moored on the water, go out and sweep off the snow. Better to do that than having to raise a sunken boat."

Up to an inch more of snow is possible before tonight, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle. Rain is expected Friday and Saturday, with high temperatures gradually moving into the 40s this weekend and the early part of next week.

Now that we're coming out of the deep freeze that has gripped the region for almost two weeks, taxing road crews and public-works departments, emergency-management officials are asking for the public's help in digging out storm drains.

"Our cities are doing everything they can, but it's not possible for them (city workers) to be in every place at every time," said Chandra Fox, of the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency, which covers north King and south Snohomish counties. "If you see a problem on your street, take five or 10 minutes, grab a shovel and clear it off," Fox said. "We need people to help out."

Gov. Christine Gregoire late Wednesday proclaimed a statewide state of emergency as a result of the storms.

The governor cited record or near-record snowfall in 30 of the state's 39 counties and noted that up to a foot of snow is forecast this weekend in Eastern Washington.

The governor's Gregoire's action enables the Washington National Guard to respond quickly if emergency needs arise and allows state agencies to make "extraordinary expenditures and use of resources," according to a news release from her office.

King County Executive Ron Sims also declared a severe-weather emergency, a step meant to make it easier for county officials to purchase additional supplies and equipment.

While there are "no imminent shortages" of sand and de-icer in the county, "we don't want to be caught unaware" because county supplies have been depleted, said Jeff Bowers, assistant director of the King County Office of Emergency Management. Emergency declarations are issued "any time we have an inkling we need to be flexible," he said, explaining that the measure allows some contracting requirements to be waived.

Sara Jean Green: 206-515-5654 or sgreen@seattletimes.com