Kent’s first white Christmas in nine years turned roads into a slippery mess.
Puget Sound Fire and other departments in the area responded to numerous traffic accident calls between about 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 8 a.m. on Christmas Day, according to Puget Sound Fire spokesman Kyle Ohashi. About 2 to 3 inches of snow fell in Kent.
“All of the fire departments in the area were busy,” said Ohashi, who didn’t have a specific number for car crashes.
The majority of accidents were minor injuries or no injuries. One person sustained minor injuries after getting struck by a snow plow near the Kent-Renton border. Another car crashed into a barn.
Kent city officials closed several streets during the snow, including South 208th Street from 96th Avenue South in the westbound (downhill) direction only; 124th Avenue SE from SE 208th Street to SE 202nd Place; SE 277th Street from 116th Avenue SE to the Don Wickstrom Bridge; SE 192nd Street between 116th Avenue SE to 124th Avenue SE; and 124th Avenue SE between SE 192nd Street and SE 196th Street, northbound only.
Kent fire officials sent out a Code Red reverse 911 message on Christmas Eve to advise people to stay off the roads, and if they travel to carry chains, drive slow and have patience.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
