Warming Sites

In partnership with the Coalition to End Homelessness and the City of Tacoma, Pierce County is coordinating warm indoor places to shelter for those experiencing homelessness, including those with pets, children, and partners. In addition, arrangements are being made to support those who choose not to leave their current outdoor location. Site locations and information is here Headline.  Please note this site is maintained by the Coalition to End Homelessness.

Other warming site options include the Pierce County Library System libraries. These sites are available during business hours and if weather and road conditions allow staff to open the buildings. Only service animals are allowed in the libraries. Local shopping malls and big-box stores are also options for warming sites during business hours.

Pierce Transit

Pierce Transit is offering free rides to warming centers until Dec. 3. For more information.

Pierce Transit snow detours and other weather-related route impacts:

• Detours will be posted on Pierce Transit’s website.
• Once on detour, know where your route will travel by visiting our Snow/Extreme Weather page and clicking the tab (at the bottom) for your route number. The black dotted line shows the detour route; the red line indicates the portion of the route with no service during the detour.
• Sign up for route-specific text messages that will arrive when your route goes on/off detour. Visit PierceTransit.org/StayConnected, enter your mobile number in the box on the right and select your route number(s) to sign up.
• Keep an eye on Pierce Transit’s Twitter page. 

What Determines if My Routes Goes on its Snow Route Detour?

Because Pierce Transit’s service area spans 272 square miles, road and weather conditions can vary widely. Pierce Transit determines which routes to place on "snow route" detour status on a route-by-route basis. During a snow event, buses may come less frequently and it may take longer to get to your destination, especially if buses are chained and roads are icy or snowy. 

Be Prepared

Here is what you can do to ensure a safe transit trip during adverse weather:

• Give yourself plenty of time to get to your bus stop. Walking conditions will likely be different from usual during ice and snow events. 
• Dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes with good traction. Remember, you may need to walk a bit further to a stop if your route is on detour.
• Make sure the bus driver can see you. Even in daylight, stormy conditions can reduce visibility. Carry a flashlight, and use your cellphone light to flag the bus (please don’t flash it in the bus driver’s eyes - thank you!). Wear bright and/or reflective clothing so you can easily be seen. 
• Make sure your cell phone is charged so you can get those route-specific text alerts you signed up to receive. 
• In severe snow and ice, buses often avoid hills. If your bus stop is in the middle of a hill, walk to the bottom where the operator can safely stop. 
• Stand back from the curb until the bus comes to a complete stop. Buses can slip sideways in icy road conditions.

• Stay up to date with the forecast at www.weather.gov/sew. 
• Learn what a flood watch means at www.weather.gov/safety/flood.  
• Monitor the status of our rivers at https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=sew.
• Learn how to prepare for river flooding at www.piercecountywa.gov/flood. 
• Find out how to put together an emergency kit and make a personal and family plan at www.piercecountywa.gov/prepare. 
• Sign up for PC Alert at www.piercecountywa.gov/alert. 
• Report road, river and pond issues 24/7 at www.piercecountywa.gov/works or (253) 798-6000.