West Seattle traffic/weather: Beware of ‘ponding’

7:15 AM: Right now it’s calmer than it’s been for a while, but as you head out this morning, beware the aftermath of all that rain – we have one report, for example, of fairly deep water as you go from the eastbound bridge to 99. The National Weather Service still has a “flood advisory” in effect in our area for this kind of problem (as well as for possible “small stream” flooding as rain continues through the day). As the advisory warns (caps theirs), “DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF FLOOD WATERS. STANDING WATER JUST A FEW INCHES DEEP CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF A VEHICLE.”

ADDED 9:08 AM: Quick clip of one prime example of “ponding” – the Fauntleroy/Juneau/39th curve just northeast of Morgan Junction.

Sue November 23, 2011 (8:21 am)

Yes, just drove in and the flooding/ponding at the entrance to the 99 ramp is pretty bad. Go slowly and stay left in the ramp. Otherwise (at least in the right lane) I had no problems after that through the Seneca off-ramp. Traffic in general though was pretty great – got into work in record time. I think a lot of people took today off for holiday travel.

CMP November 23, 2011 (8:33 am)

35th had a lot of standing water this morning right by the track and the Bridge (the usual spots) near Avalon. I was surprised b/c the water took up one lane in each direction. That was around 6:15 so maybe it’s cleared out by now.