Just like City of Redmond dwellers, folks in unincorporated areas of King County won’t soon forget the vicious December storm that made travel — or just getting out of your driveway — treacherous, if not impossible.

King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, who represents District 3, including Redmond, shared your pain. In a Jan. 8 phone call to the Redmond Reporter, she said she was never so ecstatic to see her lawn again, after rain and warmer temperatures were finally shrinking the stubborn and dirty snow drifts.

In her conversation with the Reporter and online in her e-newsletter, Lambert explained that King County road crews had been working around the clock to attend to the snow and ice, but the intensity of the lingering storm and the shortage of road maintenance resources made this weather system an unusually fierce foe.

“It’s hard to pay for another plow that we only use once every five years, versus having a sheriff (on duty) during that five years,” said Lambert.

Recognizing that the county needs to be better prepared for storms of this magnitude, Lambert said that she and fellow councilmembers are looking at ways to supplement emergency snow removal services, such as contracting with plow companies in the area or offering training so that independent citizens with snow plows could be certified to safely assist their neighbors, without damaging roads or property. As more details become available, she’ll share them with the media and her constituents.

During the December weather crisis, King County Web cams were one potentially helpful service that’s still unfamiliar to some residents. By checking out the Web cams, at http://your.kingcounty.gov/mycommute/allcamstb.aspx, you can see which areas are problematic and seek out alternate routes, Lambert suggested.

Lambert’s latest e-newsletter also offered a reminder to anticipate and prepare for occasional severe weather conditions.

Citizens and businesses should stock essential supplies such as food, water, first-aid kits, flashlights and batteries, to last for a minimum of three days or better yet, up to seven days.

As well, they should designate a family meeting place and out-of-area contacts in case they are separated during the time of crisis.

To contact Councilmember Kathy Lambert with your questions or concerns, call (206) 296-1003 or e-mail kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov.