Gunshots Last Night

Some neighbors who live on the 5000 block of Beach Drive are reporting hearing 405 gunshots last night (Friday, January 20, 2023) around 8:35 pm.

If you live between 5000-5100 blocks of Beach Drive, neighbors are asking you to please check your outdoor security cameras around that time and share any additional information with the SPD.

 

 

Barking Dog Report: Gale Watch through Late Tuesday Night

We had a heck of a storm today with waves that just didn’t seem to stop. Some neighbors agree that it’s one of the worst storms they have ever witnessed living on Beach Drive with the waves and wind.

Tomorrow’s forecast looks like it could be more severe that what we experienced today with gusts predicted up to 50 mph around 4:00 pm.

High tide is an est. 12.90 feet at around 8:39 AM; about when the winds are predicted to start shifting to more south – southwest with estimated gusts of around 40 and heading higher.

From Wind Alert as of 3:30 p.m. today.

Puget Sound Marine forecast has not been updated since this morning.

Puget Sound and Hood Canal-
852 AM PST Mon Dec 26 2022

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE TUESDAY
NIGHT

TONIGHT
E wind 5 to 15 kt rising to 25 to 35 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less building to 5 to 7 ft after midnight. Rain.

TUE  S wind 25 to 35 kt. Wind waves 5 to 7 ft. Rain.

TUE NIGHT   SW wind 20 to 30 kt. Wind waves 5 to 7 ft.

 

So bottom line, this is a “barking dog” report. If tomorrow is anything like today, we anticipate that homes along Beach Drive may be dealing with waves coming over. Stay safe, Neighbors!

Barking Dog Report: Wind and Waves Friday

Well… it’s looking like this could be a “Barking Dog Report” with possible gusts reaching 50mph tomorrow according to the current Wind Alert forecast (as of 2:53 pm 11/3/22).


High tide is around 3:02pm Friday at 11.76 feet.

The current marine forecast, from 8:54am this morning has wind waves up to 5 feet tomorrow. We should have an updated forecast soon and I will update this post.

…stay tuned!

Attempted break-ins and trespassing last week

Last Friday, a couple Beach Drive neighbors near Mee Kwa Mooks Park encountered a woman who was mentally not well. She broke into a small boat that was covered on a property and really made a mess of it… I’ll spare you the details. Half-naked, she locked herself in a porta-potty for hours and the police were unable to do anything about it. She left behind a backpack with stolen property which has since been returned to the owners.

Not to long before this event, we had a neighbor ask what can be done about people who are staying along Beach Drive in their campers, cars or camping in Mee Kwa Mooks Park. Lisa Herbold’s office recommends:

There are three ways to file a complaint regarding the concerns like garbage removal, needles, or to report an unauthorized encampment (either tent encampment or RVs)

  1. online: Service Request Form
  2. mobile: Find It, Fix It mobile app
  3. phone: 206-684-2489 (CITY)

I want to make sure that you understand the types of responses that may (or may not) result when you file a complaint.

Here are some possible resources for people who are experiencing homelessness or crisis in Seattle.

Of course, if you are in danger or if a crime is being committed, call 9-1-1.

Crows

This morning, neighbors (via Nextdoor) are reporting several sightings of dead crows. This has been reported to the Department of Health and Animal Control and it’s possible it could be a West Nile outbreak.

Should you come across a dead crow, it should be reported to the Department of Fish & Wildlife at Report Wildlife Observations (arcgis.com)

West Nile Virus can be passed to humans and birds by mosquitos. It’s a good time to make sure there is no standing water where mosquitos can hatch….and who likes to try sleeping on a warm summer night with the sweet hum of a mosquito circling above.

Another neighbor reminds us that it’s crow fledgling season and they’re just learning to fly. Fledglings are about the size of a full-grown crow right now. She asks that drivers give them extra space and don’t assume that they’ll be able to fly away as your car approaches.

 

Several Parks along Beach Drive closed due to sewer overflow

Seattle Public Utilities has closed a couple of beaches along Beach Drive due to a sewer issue near Cormorant Cove.This is from Seattle Public Utilities post on NextDoor:

Dear Neighbors,

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) responded to a sewer overflow due to a broken side sewer located along Beach Dr near Cormorant Cove. As a result, beaches in the area are currently closed to water activities, including Cormorant Cove Parklet, Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint at Alki beach, and the Andover Place street end beach access. Staff will sample the water and work with Public Health-Seattle & King County to determine when the area can be safely reopened. SPU will provide an update when we have more information. Seattle Public Utilities is working with the property owner to ensure a timely repair of the side sewer. If you find flooding or sewer backups, please report them to the SPU 24/7 Operations Response Center at (206) 386-1800. To learn more about our Spill Response Program, please visit: https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/protecting-our-environment/community-programs/pollution-control/spill-response – Seattle Public Utilities

Major Road/Gas Line Project on Beach Drive

A tip of the hat to our neighbors who let us know West Seattle Blog recently uncovered major project on Beach Drive to replace sections of the gas main.

From West Seattle Blog:

Puget Sound Energy will be replacing 5,049 feet of a gas main line on Beach Dr. SW. starting in May with work expected to last about 90 days.

This is part of a project to improve the infrastructure in the area and provide safe and reliable natural gas service.

During the project, about 100 customers will have their gas turned off due to a service replacement of their line or their service lines being reconnected to the new gas main.

When possible, the gas main installation will be directional drilled to limit some of traffic issues on that street.

PSE is working with the Seattle Department of Transportation and will use flaggers to keep traffic moving.

All customers impacted will be notified before their service is interrupted.

On a positive note, maybe this will help detour some of the speeders and traffic we get on Beach Drive.

Fire at Beach Drive Home

UPDATE 2:39 AM: Nobody home at the time of the fire.

This home is the historic “chicken coop” home on Beach Drive, reported to be the oldest home on the street. The home is just north of the duplex that was once Quesnel’s Restuarant.

 

A fire has been put out at 4701 Beach Drive SW. We hope everyone is safe. (Originally reported as 4703 Beach Drive per SFD’s 911 website).

Update on the Planned Power Outage along Beach Drive

The power went out at our home just before 10:30 a.m. for the two poles being replaced on SW Dawson Street between 49th and 50th.

The Seattle City Light map shows the pole replacement has impacted the power of almost 200 homes.


Hopefully the power is restored soon on this chilly sunny day!

Scheduled Power Outage along Beach Drive

You may have received a notice on your doorknob last week regarding a scheduled power outage in early March. (The date on our card for the outage is March 9, 2022).

From Seattle City Light:
Seattle City Light contracted crews will be working on a project to replace aging utility poles in the vicinity of 49th Avenue Southwest & Southwest Dawson Street.

The upcoming construction will require a primary power outage that will impact customers along Beach Drive and other side streets (from south of Southwest Beach Drive Terrace up to Southwest Oregon Street). This maintenance work will enhance safety and electrical reliability.

The work will require a scheduled power outage, allowing crews to complete this work safely. City Light has notified all affected customers about the upcoming outage that will be happening in early March.

For more information, please visit our program website: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/in-the-community/current-projects/accelerated-pole-replacement-program.

Per the info left hanging on our door from Seattle City light, power may be out as long as 8 hours.

Anything over four hours can impact the safety of food stored in the fridge. The USDA states:

your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.

After a power outage never taste food to determine its safety. You will have to evaluate each item separately—use this chart as a guide. When in Doubt, Throw it Out!

Here’s more info: Food Safety During Power Outage | FoodSafety.gov