Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn—and just about everyone else in local government—is asking you to check on your block's storm drains as the thaw arrives and "localized flooding" becomes the next big concern. The National Weather Services has issued a "flood watch" for the area, and the still-going Emergency Operations Center says:

With the thaw on the way, the City is asking residents and businesses to locate nearby storm drains in the street and — if it’s safe — to clear them of snow and debris. It’s the single most important thing people can do to protect their property and prevent water from pooling and creating traffic hazards.

In Seattle, there are about 80,000 storm drains — far more than City crews can clear quickly.

If an inlet or street drain appears to be blocked by snow or debris, try to safely clear a channel to provide a path for the runoff. If the drain cannot be cleared, or if the cause of the blockage or flooding is uncertain, call Seattle Public Utilities at (206) 386-1800.

Cliff Mass agrees that the end is near: "This snow/sleet/freezing rain evident is basically done... Observations show its demise... The radar shows NOTHING offshore."

King County courts are opening back up, and so is the prosecutor's office (criminal holiday over). Metro is still using chains and on snow routes. Garbage pickup is still not happening in Seattle. And hundreds of thousands remain without power.

More businesses—large and small—are coming out in favor of the marriage equality bill, including Elliott Bay Book Company, The Crocodile, King's Hardware, and Big Mario's.

New Gingrich "launched into a tirade against the news media" at last night's debate, and used this blast of indignant fury to successfully block any questions about his request for an open marriage.

When does this South Carolina primary finally happen, anyway?

Answer: Saturday.

The Supreme Court has blocked Texas's revised redistricting plan, which will help Republicans.

David Brooks vs. Paul Krugmann on Romney's wealth and what it means.

Sen. Harry Reid has postponed the PIPA vote.

And Obama sings Al Green at the Apollo.