Kent’s first white Christmas in nine years turned roads into a slippery mess.
Puget Sound Fire and other departments in the area responded to numerous traffic accident calls between about 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 8 a.m. on Christmas Day, according to Puget Sound Fire spokesman Kyle Ohashi. About 2 to 3 inches of snow fell in Kent.
“All of the fire departments in the area were busy,” said Ohashi, who didn’t have a specific number for car crashes.
The majority of accidents were minor injuries or no injuries. One person sustained minor injuries after getting struck by a snow plow near the Kent-Renton border. Another car crashed into a barn.
Kent city officials closed several streets during the snow, including South 208th Street from 96th Avenue South in the westbound (downhill) direction only; 124th Avenue SE from SE 208th Street to SE 202nd Place; SE 277th Street from 116th Avenue SE to the Don Wickstrom Bridge; SE 192nd Street between 116th Avenue SE to 124th Avenue SE; and 124th Avenue SE between SE 192nd Street and SE 196th Street, northbound only.
Kent fire officials sent out a Code Red reverse 911 message on Christmas Eve to advise people to stay off the roads, and if they travel to carry chains, drive slow and have patience.
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