How to Prepare & Assist

Updated August 14, 2023

Request Free Snow Shoveling Supplies!

In partnership with other City departments, we've launched a pilot program to support community snow shoveling — helping our neighbors who are seniors and people with mobility challenges get out the door and where they need to go by clearing the sidewalks and walkways near their homes. As part of this program, the City of Seattle is offering to provide neighborhood snow shoveling volunteers with equipment, including:

Shovels
Ice melt
Shoveling tips

Equipment is available while supplies last. Register by September 29 to receive yours before winter weather arrives!

To register, email 684-Road@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-7623.

Read more about this Neighbors Helping Neighbors Snow Shoveling Program and how to help or request assistance on the page below.

Stay aware and prepare your home and travel plans for the unexpected. Clear your sidewalks of snow and ice. Assist those who need help.

Before Snow and Ice

Prepare your home for the unexpected.

Download the Winter Storm Checklist to help you prepare. Listen to the weather forecast and have a plan if severe weather strikes.
Stock up before the storm. Have a family emergency plan, cell phone and portable charger, battery-operated radio, snow shovel, bag of street salt, warm clothes, extra blankets, flashlights, first aid kit, and supply of food/water/medicine for at least three days.

Prepare

Stock up before the storm. Have a snow shovel, bag of street salt, warm clothes, extra blankets, flashlights, first aid kit, and supply of food/water/medicine for at least three days.

Before it Freezes

Sprinkle rock salt (or another environmentally friendly product) on your sidewalk, walkways, and curb ramps to prevent ice from forming.

When it Snows – Clear Sidewalks

Clear sidewalks in front of your home or business every 12 hours before snow turns to ice.

Check on your Neighbor

Check in with your neighbor if you know they could use your help. Work together and come up with a plan to ensure your block of sidewalk, storm drains, and corner curb ramps are clear of snow/ice.

Snow Shoveling Safety Tips

Avoid injury! Make sure you remove snow and ice safely with these resources:

Warning: The City is not responsible for property damage or injuries that result from shoveling snow on sidewalks.

Volunteer for our neighborhood Snow Shoveling Program

Want to volunteer to help your neighbors in need this winter? The City of Seattle is launching a pilot program to support community snow shoveling. The goal is to help seniors and people with mobility challenges get out the door and where they need to go by clearing the sidewalks and walkways near their homes.

How it works

Reach out to the captain of your neighborhood Block Watch to make a plan for your block.
- Don’t know who your Block Watch Captain is? Go to the Block Watch page of the Seattle Police Department’s website and contact the Crime Prevention Coordinator (CPC) for your area.
Don’t have a Block Watch Captain for your street? Contact the CPC for your area to ask about nearby Block Watch groups or other volunteer organizations you can connect with.
- Interested in becoming the Block Watch Captain for your street? Find more information on Seattle Police Department's website here.

You can save this information by downloading our Neighbors Helping Neighbors Show Shoveling Program flyer.

Translated Flyers:

አማርኛ/Amharic
繁体字/Traditional Chinese
简体中文/Simplified Chinese
Oromiffa
af-Soomaali
Español
Tagalog
ትግርኛ/Tigrinya
Tiếng việt

Questions about the program?

If you have additional questions, you can reach the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) customer care team at (206) 684-ROAD or 684-ROAD@seattle.gov.

Request Snow Shoveling Help

People in need of help removing snow and ice from the sidewalks and walkways around their homes can request help from the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Snow Shoveling Program!

Find volunteers in your neighborhood by:

Reaching out to the captain of your neighborhood Block Watch to find volunteers on your street.
- Don’t know who your Block Watch Captain is? Go to the Block Watch page of the Seattle Police Department’s website and contact the Crime Prevention Coordinator (CPC) for your area.
Don’t have a Block Watch Captain for your street? Contact the CPC for your area to ask about nearby Block Watch groups or other volunteer organizations you can connect with.

If you have additional questions or need help getting in contact, you can reach the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) customer care team at (206) 684-ROAD or 684-ROAD@seattle.gov.